SHU to Host 6th Annual Relay for Life, April 25

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – Sacred Heart University will hold its sixth annual Relay For Life fundraiser on Friday, April 25, starting at 6 p.m. in SHU's William H. Pitt Center. A survivor's reception will take place at 5 p.m. in the Pitt Center board room. The event is free and open to the public with donations encouraged. To create or join a team, or to make a donation, please visit www.relayforlife.org/sacredheart.

This year's goal is $50,000 in honor of the University's 50th anniversary and is an aggressive increase over last year's total donations of $28,000. Last year, 37 teams made up of more than 300 participants were in attendance. This year, 30 clubs and organizations are already on board and have raised over $5,000. Sacred Heart's Student Events Team, band, club athletics, the Thomas More Honors Program and Greek Life are just some of the groups raising money for this worthy cause.

This year's theme is a giant birthday party—celebrating the many birthdays that will be celebrated by cancer survivors as a result of this fundraiser. Relay For Life at Sacred Heart is organized by students in support of the American Cancer Society. Entertainment during the event will include an a capella performance by SHU students, a performance by SHU Force and performances by SHU's own Bill Haug throughout the night. Activities will include popular events such as karaoke, a photo challenge and Zumba.

"I'm most excited to see everyone who is participating at this year's event," said Lily DiPaola '16, who is co-chairing the event with Jessica LaFlam '15. "We have sports teams and clubs that have put together teams for the first time this year, which is exciting. We are also working with SHU alumni who have a team for the first time this year, and we are joining with the town of Fairfield on a canned food drive as part of their 375th birthday celebration. With all of these new teams and people getting involved, I can't wait to see the diverse crowd that will be in attendance!"

Barb Susi, the community and donation chair for SHU's Relay event, is also excited for this year's event. Susi first became involved because she not only lost her parents, both grandfathers and aunts and uncles to cancer, but also some of her SHU family members as well. As an alumna and former employee of Sacred Heart, Susi grew close to many classmates and professors while attending and working at the University, many of whom who have battled this disease.

"I've had the privilege of watching SHU's Relay For Life evolve and mature from our first event to now," said Susi. "I am looking forward to working with our wonderful and hard-working students. You can't help but be energized by their dedication or empathize with why they participate in Relay. Seeing them unified in their passion and love of their fellow classmates, professors and families makes me feel privileged to play a role in SHU's Relay event."

PHOTO: Survivor lap from the 2013 Relay For Life at Sacred Heart University - photo by Mark F. Conrad