Relay for Life held on campus
By: Betty Xu
Issue date: 3/23/09 Section: News
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Portales' Relay for Life was held March 20 and 21 in the Greyhound Arena at Eastern New Mexico University. The event kicked off at 5 p.m. with a Survivors Lap in which cancer survivors took a victory lap around the track. Then teams of people from Portales, ENMU and other nearby communities camped out and took turns walking around the track all night into the next morning.
Much more than a brisk walk around the track, Relay for Life is a time to celebrate the people who have beat cancer, remember those who lost their battles and inspire others to fight back. Those who have shared the same experience find common ground, hope and healing at Relay.
Kevin Gardels, a graduate assistant at ENMU and a cancer survivor, was attending his first Relay for Life.
"As a survivor, the first thing is that you want to honor the people who have lost their lives because of cancer, remember them and honor their lives," Gardels said.
"To survive cancer is every day you wake up you are going to deal with it, and it is really nice and important for us to support each other," Gardels said.
Relay for Life allows individuals battling cancer to support others battling the disease. "We got to see each other and talk to each other. It is important," he said.
Gardels offered some advice to those battling cancer. "First of all we should love God and love each other and help each other, you know, just a hug can make a big difference. That's why we are here and why I am here."
Relay for Life events are held not only to raise funds, but to involve communities, give the society a local presence, and provide communities the opportunity to participate in the mission.
"It's a really good way to get the community involved," said Cole Calloway, an ENMU freshman who attended the relay. "It really makes people feel better about themselves."
"We just really admire and understand how much determination it takes them to go through that," said Calloway.