NAU RELAYS FOR LIFE -- The Northern Arizona women's swimming and diving team participated in "Relay for Life of NAU" earlier this spring. At press time, it is estimated that they collected well over $41,000 to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Northern Arizona women’s swimming and diving team will participated in “Relay For Life of NAU” early next month in the Walkup Skydome.

The event is an initiative by the American Cancer Society to aid in cancer research, education, advocacy, and service. Swimming and diving is one of 75 teams that stayed overnight in the Skydome in an effort to contribute to the cause.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an event that gives community members across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

At Relay For Life, teams “camped out” at the Skydome and took turns walking or running around the track, with each team asked to have a representative on the track at all times. Relay For Life is a 24-hour event that aids in the fights against cancer and shows a continued commitment to battling the disease “because cancer never sleeps.”

“Relay for Life is a good opportunity to give back because many of our lives in some way have been touched by cancer,” said junior swimmer Meredith Egloria. “Everyone walks for [his or her] own purpose. It is a time to reflect and be grateful for the life and opportunities we have here at Northern Arizona University as student-athletes.”

Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States — along with additional communities in 19 other countries — gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.

“We continue to do this because cancer is universal; it touches our lives and is a good cause,” said Egloria, who along with many other members of the swimming and diving team, participated in Relay For Life for the fourth consecutive year. “The environment and closeness allows us to talk and cope with the fears and struggles of having cancer, caring for someone with cancer, or the loss of someone with cancer.”

Anyone can participate in Relay For Life. Friends, families, neighbors, classmates, sports teams, etc., can form their own teams. Relay For Life of NAU had 878 individuals taking part in this year’s event. Well over $41,000 was raised by Relay for Life of NAU, and those wishing to make an online donation may do so at www.relayforlife.org
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For more information on this event, contact Joe Scacco at Northern Arizona University:
joseph.scacco@nau.edu