The St. Francis College community came together Friday, April 3, to raise more than $18,000 to fight cancer at the largest Relay For Life walk-a-thon held on campus in its 4 year history. A record 39 teams and nearly 230 people took part in the event.

"The Colleges Against Cancer Chapter at St. Francis College has been absolutely amazing and worked tirelessly to make the event a success," said Karin Rockwin, Coordinator of Special Events for the American Cancer Society. "The money raised today will help provide services to Brooklyn patients through our Look Good, Feel Better program, Reach to Recovery, wig fitting, free prosthesis and access to free cancer screenings for uninsured residents."

The event began with an opening lap walked by cancer survivors and caregivers and continued for several hours as participants were also treated to activities including a limbo and dance contest, hot potato relay race, Karaoke, ring toss and the very popular whip cream pie toss. The luminaria marked an emotional part of the evening with its slideshow of loved ones who have passed away and the showing of the Relay Webcam Project which featured interviews with Relay committee members and why they walk.

"Although I'm graduating in a few weeks, I'm anxiously awaiting the opportunity to be a part of the next Relay, which will mark a Half-Decade of Hope at St. Francis College," said Ken Bruno the Master of Ceremonies for the evening and Relay Committee Member.

The Relay events at St. Francis College have now helped raise almost $80,000 for the American Cancer Society, held numerous on-site wellness activities such as the Great American Smokeout, and founded a nationally recognized Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) Chapter.

Donations are still being accepted and can be made at www.relayforlife.org/stfranciscollege.

Numerous local businesses supported the event including La Traviata, Lassen and Hennigs, La Bagel Delight, Monty Q's Pizza, Heights Café, Kaffe Deli, Eamonn Doran, Acquista Food Services, TD Bank, Chipotle, Starbucks, P.C. Richard and Son and Speedo the Clown Co.

St. Francis College, founded in 1859 by the Franciscan Brothers of Brooklyn, is located in Brooklyn Heights, N.Y. Since its founding, the College has pursued its Franciscan mission to provide an affordable, high-quality education to students from New York City's five boroughs and beyond.
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St. Francis College, 180 Remsen Street, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201
www.sfc.edu