Team Raises More Than $3,500 for American Cancer Society

The Columbia State Chargers Sunshine team participated along with 24 others in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life walk at Columbia Academy on Friday May 29.

There are two cancer survivors on the Chargers Sunshine team: Kellie Gwin, financial aid assistant and Aubrey Flagg, associate professor of geography. Columbia State faculty and cancer survivors Jackie Crawford, admissions clerk, and LaTasha Stenson, assistant professor of English also walked with the team.

"It's one of the best Relay for Life events I have ever been personally involved in," said Flagg. "The level of enthusiasm shown by the Columbia State team outshined everyone else. I am looking forward to doing it again next year."

The team raised approximately $3,700 for the American Cancer Society. The money will go towards cancer research, community programs and services to educate the public, and cancer advocacy.

Relay for life is a life-changing event that brings communities together to remember loved ones lost to cancer, celebrate the lives of those who have battled the disease, and to fight back by raising money and awareness of cancer prevention and treatment.

During the event the team members take turns walking laps around the track. The relay took place over a period of 12 hours and teams were asked to have least one team member on the track at all times.

"One of our Chargers Sunshine team members, Victoria Gay walked 84 laps," said Kelly Stinnett, support staff of faculty programs at Columbia State and Chargers Sunshine member. "84 laps is the equivalent of 21 miles." Gay is the associate professor of English at Columbia State.

The Chargers Sunshine team took home the Spirit Award trophy, the award given to the team with the most walkers on the track throughout the entire event. They also received a ribbon for third place in the campsite contest. Consideration for the campsite contest was based on decoration, originality, and theme.