Panthers ready to Relay for Life March 2-3

Spring is a particularly busy time around FIU – there are events pulling everyone’s attention in a number of directions, from class to the beach – but philanthropy remains dear to everyone’s heart. Students already had success raising more than $61,000 for the Miami Children’s Hospital Foundation through the Children’s Miracle Network, and now it’s time for them to come together for Relay for Life.

Survivor Jorge Casas '06 has been cancer-free for almost 10 years. He attended the first FIU Relay for Life and plans on being there again March 2-3.

The 8^th annual FIU Relay for Life is set to take over the area in front of the Ryder Business Building to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The fun will take place on Palm Avenue at 8^th Street, on the Modesto A. Maidique Campus, from 6 p.m. Friday, March 2, to 8 a.m. the next day. Last year, a record 75 teams took part in the all-night walk, raising $96,000 for cancer-related services.

For some, events like the Relay have been and continue to be a “crucial” part of living or surviving cancer. Jorge Casas is a 2006 psychology FIU grad. In October 2002, just two days shy of his 22^nd birthday, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer. Two months later, the cancer spread to his lungs. He said the only thing he asked his doctor was whether or not he was going to live.

“I had no clue what was going on, so I just went with it. I didn’t feel hopeless. I looked up to Lance Armstrong throughout my journey,” he said. “The next spring, I started 12 weeks of chemo while attending and working at FIU. I have to admit part of what helped me survive was remaining involved with the university, working with what is now the Center for Leadership & Service.”

Nine years post-treatment and almost 10 years since his diagnosis, Casas is cancer-free.

Casas was at the first FIU Relay for Life in 2005, taking that first Survivor’s Lap, an experience he describes as weird and emotional, but one that filled him with pride.

“I think I was the youngest one there,” he said. “Definitely one of the few boys, if not the only one, there that day.”

Casas went on to earn a second bachelor’s degree, this one from nursing at UM, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in public health at UM while working in an administrative branch of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“I walk for each and every single cancer patient that I’ve ever come across at work. I meet a new face every day, so I’ll keep attending this event until I have no more patients,” Casas said. “I don’t tell them all I’m a survivor but that I understand their journey. These patients really just need someone to remind them that they should never, ever give up.”

A ‘tremendous’ event

FIU students, faculty/staff, alumni, family and friends and community supporters have worked diligently to support cancer patients and caregivers. To date, they have raised more than $530,000 to fight cancer. Their hope is to add to that amount in 2012 by surpassing the amount raised last year.

“It’s an ambitious target, but that’s why we picked our ‘Superheroes’ theme,” said Beverly Dalrymple, director of the Center for Leadership & Service, adding that $50,000 has been raised so far. “We’re ordinary people by day, cancer fighters by night.”

Dalrymple says 75 teams already have registered to participate in the event, and she expects some 4,000 people will stop by throughout the night. Among the students who will participate are members of Phi Sigma Kappa.

“I walk for Life because my father has cancer. He’s had an operation and is doing chemo now, so this event is very personal to me,” said Andres Martinez, a 19-year-old Phi Sig.

Martinez says he’s really taken charge of his team this year and wants to help make the 2012 Relay the best and biggest one yet. He and his brothers have been passing a collection can among themselves and their family members, and they plan on “going all out” for the big night.

“Our big, wooden frat letters were damaged from all the years of use, so we had a brotherhood retreat to make new ones. We’ll have a cotton candy machine, so we can raise more money throughout the night, and we’re counting on all Phi Sigma Kappas, even alumni, to come out and join us. I will be there all night with my family and my dad.”

Dalrymple says that’s the kind of energy that makes the event a success.

“Relay for Life is tremendous. It’s a good time to celebrate life and show the survivors and caretakers in our families and at FIU that we’re all there for them,” she said.

Per tradition, the Relay for Life will open with a Survivor’s Lap and will feature a Luminaria ceremony later in the evening.

For more information, call Beverly Dalrymple at 305-348-6995.