The Student Movement Against Cancer is ready to undergo an amazing Relay for Life that expects impressive community attendance. 

“At Relay for Life you can expect games, activities, themed laps, and encouraging ceremonies throughout the night,” SMAC advisor Ashleigh Boyce said. “It is a night to not only remember and honor, but to celebrate those who have fought cancer and who are currently fighting cancer.”

Relay for Life continues to encourage many different students and members of the community on the importance of donating to cancer research and funds. 

“Relay for Life raises crucial funds for the American Cancer Society,” Boyce said.  “These funds help to provide patients with rides to treatments, wigs, 24/7 support hotlines, lodging at local Hope Lodges for those traveling far for treatment, and much more. Not only does Relay for Life raise money for the fight, but it also gives people the space to find support within their community, to work through grief with those who can empathize with them, and to provide a night to celebrate loved ones.”

Celebrating loved ones is key. Each individual who participates walks for someone they personally have lost to cancer or for someone currently battling the disease. Relay for Life continues to be emotional for each participant as they are continuing to fight for a cause that has been crucial for too many individuals. 

“The event has a positive effect on the community by providing an opportunity to show compassion and empathy to others,” Boyce said. “We all have been affected by cancer in some aspect – whether we personally have been affected, have had family members or friends affected, or know someone whose loved ones have been affected. It is a reminder that we all are affected by loss, struggle, and fights and that we can show up for one another through support, compassion, kindness, and empathy.”

SMAC President Lindsey Edelman has been a member of the club since freshman year and worked her way up to co-president junior and senior year alongside senior Gianna Mavilla. 

“Relay for Life is the most important event that I attend every year,” Edelman said. “It serves as a reminder that those fighting cancer are not alone and have the whole community supporting them. Relay for Life is really where you get what you want out of it: it can be fund with all the games, it can be emotional with the Luminaria Ceremony, it can be celebratory for those who beat cancer, a place to reflect and honor those who passed, or all of the above.” 

Relay for Life is as inclusive as it gets. Anyone has the chance to participate in the many events that the event offers and it is worth the time to hangout with friends and family, to support a common cause. 

“Everyone is welcome to come to Relay for Life,” Edelman said. “Anyone can create a team prior to the event and invite their friends and family or pay a donation at the entrance the day of [the event].” 

“Students can prepare by spreading the word to friends, family, and businesses,” Boyce said. “They can also prepare by registering as an individual, creating a team, or joining an existing team and relayforlife.org/scotchplainsnj. Our Relay for Life event will have activities to participate in, as well as food trucks for all attendees to purchase food from.”

SMAC’s impact on the community has been everlasting for so many years. Each participant of this event is doing their part to support the treatment and research of cancer as well as remembering and dedicating their time to patients with cancer. 

“SMAC has had a lasting impact on so many individuals,” Boyce said. “From fundraising and volunteering for local organizations like Jam Kancer in the Can, The Rose Checchio Walk to Wipe Out Breast Cancer, Sister 2 Sister, Emmanuel Cancer Foundation, Camp Quality, and Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, to fundraising for national organizations, like the American Cancer Society and The American Indian Cancer Foundation, their impact never ends. Each act of kindness and support provided by members of the Student Movement Against Cancer can make both small and large impacts on the community. Nothing that anyone does is too small to make a difference and each member has made monumental contributions to our fight against cancer — whether with donations, time, or support. We are very lucky to have such dedicated students in this fight.”