SMU holds ‘Relay For Life’ cancer fundraiser

The 2012 SMU Relay For Life on Friday and Saturday raised over $123,000. Funds raised will benefit the American Cancer Society.

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DALLAS (SMU)—More than 1,000 SMU community members walked all night April 13-14 to raise money and awareness for cancer research during the 9th annual Relay For Life cancer fundraiser.

Katie Schaible of Relay for Life at SMU
Kathryn Schaible
SMU's Relay For Life raised over $100,000.

SMU’s 2012 Relay For Life had raised more than $123,000, as of Monday (April 16), and donations continue to come it. Funds raised by the event, which took place on the University’s Bishop Boulevard, will benefit the American Cancer Society.

In just two months before the relay, SMU first-year student Kathryn Schaible, whose father died of melanoma when she was 14, raised $20,000 in pledges for the cause.

“I know how cancer can break a family down and change your life,” Schaible said prior to the relay. “The Relay For Life fundraising experience has been much more than raising money. It has given me the opportunity to spread awareness, and talk about treatment and prevention. Educating people and sharing my story has kept me committed to this project.”

Relay for Life Official LogoAn opening ceremony on Friday honored cancer survivors. Following the ceremony, events such as a wing-eating contest, Zumba class, yoga class, a movie on the lawn and a car smash kept supporters entertained until the walk ended at 5 a.m. on Saturday.

Live entertainment included Empower Africa dancers, Mustang Mavericks, the Stephanie Little Band, Empowered Hip Hop dancers, Belle Tones, Spencer Fox, MOVE, TREAT and Southern Gentlemen.

Visit www.relayforlife.org/smutx for details on donations and participation.

Sponsors included the Willits Foundation, EPIC, SMU Student Senate, United Health Services, IFC, WestPoint Financial Group, Mass Mutual, Baylor Hospitals, UPS, Hannon Hydraulics, and Blackberry.

Street Closing Information

SMU's Bishop Boulevard will be closed to vehicular traffic for the Relay for Life 2012 event from 4 p.m. Friday, April 13, to 5:30 a.m. Saturday, April 14.

The Mustang Express shuttles will be rerouted beginning at 2 p.m. Friday to Dyer Street and will stop in front of the Hughes-Trigg Student Center instead of on Bishop. Riders who normally catch the Mustang Express shuttles at the stops on Bishop will need to use the temporary Mustang Express stop in front of the Hughes-Trigg.

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