Why does VT Relay for Life matter to Hokies?

My dear friend Juanita Prada has always been an inspiration to me. After beating cancer twice, she continues to reminisce on her childhood memories of undergoing treatment and recovering because of one purpose – to spread awareness about childhood cancer. Attending a school that has the largest collegiate Relay for Life, I knew there had to be others who shared the same desire to raise awareness about cancer. Thanks to Juanita’s two-time cancer story, I’ve been able to find others who were just as excited to share why they are a part of the fight to beat cancer.

Rachel Kim

“VT Relay for Life matters to me because it has been a great way to join a movement and support cancer patients by raising awareness and funds while having a fun time with friends.

“Something that I treasure about Virginia Tech is that we have a particularly empathetic student body. As many may know, Hokies have a great sense of care and respect for one another. Although I do not personally have a close friend or family member that is battling cancer, I believe in encouraging and caring for those who do, and especially supporting those who have already lost close people to cancer.”

Morgan Carson

Morgan with a luminaria in honor of her cousin who is fighting cancer

“I joined the VT Relay for Life committee my junior year and I had the time of my life. By the time senior year rolled around I got the honor of serving as the executive member of the entertainment committee. As the largest collegiate Relay, we hold ourselves to a high standard, knowing that the work we put in every week is changing lives. From allowing families to stay at American Cancer Society Hope lodges, providing wigs and providing money for research grants, I believe what we’ve done at Virginia Tech will help find the cure to cancer. I’m so sure of it. Hokies, don’t quit. Hokies live out Ut Prosim, and most importantly, Hokies care for each other and each of those three qualities is embodied in Virginia Tech Relay for Life efforts.”

Allie Sullivan

“VT Relay for Life matters to me because it builds a home for everyone who takes part in it.

“My life has been changed by the countless executive and committee members who share their stories and exude hope and passion for finding a cure. I found renewed passion and hope in listening to stories told by survivors, caregivers and loved ones. I found strength in times that I did not think possible because I had people that knew what I was going through and were there for me. Most importantly, I have found sorority sisters, best friends and confidants within this VT Relay community and know that I can turn to them for anything. Relay may just be a 12-hour event, but its effects last so much longer than that. The friendships that are built, the hope that is found, and the lives that are changed are not things that simply go away after the event… Ultimately, for me personally, VT Relay matters to me because I found the hope and passion I once lost in a night filled with laughter, tears and friendship and a home in this life-changing community.”

Lindsay Baldwin

Lindsay dyed a strip of my hair pink last October for breast cancer awareness and part of the money was donated to Relay 

“VT Relay for Life is important to me because we’re fighting to cure cancer all year long, not just at the event in April. Cancer research is so important because it affects everyone, and you never know who it could be affecting. Relay is a great way to get involved and hands-on with finishing the fight.

“Both my grandmothers beat breast cancer by having double mastectomies early in life. What I didn’t know at the time was that the week I dyed my hair pink, my mom was being tested for breast cancer. Her biopsy came back fine, no cancer, which was amazing. The timing of it all was interesting because, according to my mom, it was really cool from her perspective to be supported by me through Relay even though I had no idea was she was going through.”

Emily Walters

“Since Virginia Tech’s motto is Ut Prosim, That I May Serve, I think it’s incredibly fitting that we participate in Relay for Life every year. As Hokies, we should always be looking for ways that we can help others, whether they are our peers, family members, friends or complete strangers, everyone needs help at some point in their lives. We have a reputation of being caring, kind and helpful, so Relay for Life is a perfectly tangible way to represent how awesome our Hokie Nation is!”

Juanita Prada

“I Relay for not one day, but every day. I Relay because hope is stronger than cancer.

“VT Relay for Life is what keeps a smile on my face and motivates me every day to spread awareness in order to make a difference in people’s lives. I Relay not only because I am a two-time childhood cancer survivor and God’s precious gift of life, but also for my family and friends. I have family members who have been affected by this horrible disease and dear friends who were taken away too soon. Aside from my personal relationships, I also Relay for all the current cancer patients in hopes that, one day, they can also Relay and spread the joy of life.”

Kristin DeCou

“VT Relay for Life matters to me because it has helped me see what exactly Ut Prosim looks like for me!

“Year after year, thousands of Hokies camp out on the Drillfield for 12 hours, rain or shine, to finish the fight against cancer. Virginia Tech Relay for Life has become a movement for our students to celebrate their hard work, remember those they have lost to cancer, and fight back against such a terrible disease… Cancer sucks and losing loved ones to it sucks more. It makes you feel helpless and I know, for me, Relay serves as a hands-on opportunity to honor those who have encountered this disease. I am no scientist so, personally, research is not my way to end cancer. Relay for Life matters to me because I know I am actively making a difference. I know that each dollar raised goes towards something that is helping cancer patients and their families right now. In my time at Virginia Tech, I have found the best of friends and the most welcoming of communities from Relay. I’ve met the most inspiring people who constantly give me reasons to fight and always support me in my efforts to find a cure.”