Community Invited to VSU Relay for Life April 8

VALDOSTA – Valdosta State University hopes to raise $25,000 for the American Cancer Society during its Olympics: Go for the Gold, Cure Cancer themed 2016 Relay for Life, which will kick off at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 8, on the main campus front lawn.

Faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of VSU are invited to show their support of this life-changing experience as some 57 teams, comprised of more than 270 participants from departments and organizations all across campus, come together to “celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease,” according to the American Cancer Society.

Samantha Watson-Jones, president of VSU’s Relay for Life student organization, said she believes Relay for Life is important, “because it directly impacts the lives of cancer patients, through treatments, lodging during treatment, rides to treatments, free wigs, and advancements in the technology used.”

“I personally have multiple family members and friends who have had cancer,” she continued. “That is one of the main reasons I decided to join Relay for Life in high school. Now that I am able to continue that passion in college and be the president of the whole organization, I feel that I am a part of something bigger than myself. It is amazing to see all the students and their organizations come together for one great cause.”

During the Relay for Life of Valdosta State University, teams will camp out around the front lawn, with individual members taking turns walking around the designated relay area. There will be food, games, and activities designed to provide entertainment, build camaraderie, and raise even more money for the American Cancer Society.

The Relay for Life of Valdosta State University will end at 2 a.m. on Saturday, April 9.

As of the morning of Tuesday, April 5, the Relay for Life of Valdosta State University had already raised $11,528.96, or 46.1 percent, of its $25,000 goal.

VSU raised $21,502.18 during its 2015 event.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life movement raises more than $400 million every year for groundbreaking research in every type of cancer and free information and services for cancer patients and their caregivers.

Visit www.relayforlife.org/vsuga to support the Relay for Life of Valdosta State University by making a donation to a participant, a team, or the effort in general.

Contact Samantha Watson-Jones at (404) 376-4169 or swatsonjones@valdosta.edu for more information.

Schedule of Events:

• 7 p.m. – Opening Ceremonies
• 7:15 p.m. – Survivor and Caregiver Lap
• 7:30 p.m. – Sheet Sign and Tent Judging
• 7:45 p.m. – Wet T-shirt Contest
• 8 p.m. – Kickball
• 8:30 p.m. – Luminary Ceremony
• 8:45 p.m. – Relay Clothes Race
• 9 p.m. – Earth Ball
• 9:15 p.m. – Big Nick DJ Takeover
• 10 p.m. – Dance Off
• 10:30 p.m. – Glow in the Dark Ultimate Frisbee
• 10:45 p.m. – Why I Relay Wall
• 11 p.m. – Scavenger Hunt
• 11:15 p.m. – Hope Lodge Challenge
• 11:45 p.m. – Mr. Relay Pageant
• 12:30 a.m. – Egg Toss
• 1 a.m. – Pool Noodle Javelin
• 1:30 a.m. – Tug of War
• 1:45 a.m. – Last Lap
• 2 a.m. – Closing Ceremonies

Valdosta State University’s 2013-2019 Strategic Plan represents a renewal of energy and commitment to the foundational principles for comprehensive institutions.

Implementation of the plan’s five goals, along with their accompanying objectives and strategies, supports VSU’s institutional mission and the University System of Georgia’s mission for comprehensive universities. 

The story above demonstrates VSU's commitment to meeting the following goals: 

Goal 1: Recruit, retain, and graduate a quality, diverse student population and prepare students for roles as leaders in a global society.

Goal 3: Promote student, employee, alumni, retiree, and community engagement in our mission.

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/planning/strategic-plan.php to learn more.