Students Raise $83K for American Cancer Society

The Wayne Relay for Life team has raised more than $83,000 for the American Cancer Society with the fundraising event just a week away.

Relay for Life is an annual fundraiser held at Wayne Valley High School, organized and run completely by high school students. Hundreds of participants walk around the track all night to raise money for the ACS.

The event this year begins at 2 p.m. June 1. It ends about 24 hours later.

“So far, we’re really happy with where we’re at,” said Josh Liebman, captain of theWayne Valley High School students. “We’re expecting more people to participate this year than last year.”

Hundreds of students, parents and cancer survivors camp out in tents while others walk around the track, which is a symbol of the never-ending battle against cancer.

About 1,000 participated in the event last year. Nearly 900 participants on 49 teams have given money so far this year.

A special light ceremony is held after sunset. The lights are turned off and candles are places in bags that line the track. The bags are decorated with messages by participants in memory of someone who died of cancer or for someone who is currently battling the disease.

More than $90,000 was donated last year. Students want to raise $120,000 this year. Hundreds of students from both high schools are broken up into the dozens of teams. Each team develops their own fundraising strategy.

“I think we’re really on the way to doing that,” said Allison Pyper, captain of the Wayne Hills High School students.  “I’m really confidant that our event will be very successful this year because more and more people are signing up everyday to participate and donating money.”

Liebman and Pyper handed out purple ribbons and signs to the various team captains this week. They will be tied around trees and placed throughout Wayne to let residents know about the event.

For more information about Relay for Life, or to donate, click here.

— Have a question or news tip? Contact editor Daniel Hubbard at Daniel.Hubbard@patch.com or find us on Facebook and Twitter. For news straight to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.