University Volume 25 | Issue 12 | Wednesday 30th March 2022
Express
“Cancer Doesn’t Sleep and Neither Do We”
UCCExpress.ie
ORLA LEAHY News Editor
Last week, on Friday, March 25th, the UCC Cancer Society (Cancer Soc) held their annual Relay for Life at the Mardyke Arena UCC. Emer O’Sullivan, Chairperson of Cancer Soc, said that Relay for Life occurs where: “For one day in the year, over 24 hours, everybody comes together and cancer survivors, people who have lost people to cancer, people who could be going through cancer or just want to do as much as they can, for 24 hours they stay awake, they don’t go to sleep, they just walk around whenever track that may be nearby. The idea behind this is that the Irish Cancer Society created the idea that cancer does not sleep, it never stops. So, for one day in the year neither do we. It is a fantastic event because it is unusual to be awake for 24 hours in a day, there is a certain comraderie to it…it creates this kind of sense of unity amidst a very very dark topic.” Students were encouraged to sign-up in teams of 10. The entry fee of €100 then amounted to €10 per person, all of which went to the Irish Cancer Society. Participants received t-shirts to show their support. Emer thanked the “very generous company who sponsored a container” for Cancer Soc to run live entertainment from the opening ceremony, which kicked off at 6pm. She stated that the Candle of Hope Ceremony is a key highlight of Relay for Life. This year’s Relay for Life featured a comprehensive schedule of events for participants, including a soccer tournament, Continued on pg 3