Elizabeth Marx
  • Nursing
  • Class of 2017
  • Middletown, CT

Elizabeth Marx from Middletown, CT, was a member of Stevenson University's Student Committee who coordinated a successful Relay for Life Event Raising Over $42,000 for the American Cancer Society

2015 Apr 20

Stevenson University student Elizabeth Marx is one of the team leaders that helped execute the fifth annual Relay for Life event at Stevenson. The event was held on April 10-11 from 6pm to 6am as an effort to not only bring awareness to cancer, but raise money in order to support research, treatments and many other programs for cancer patients. There were more than 450 individuals, divided up into 38 teams, that participated in this event.

The event was aimed to remember lost loved ones, as well as celebrate the lives of cancer survivors. Throughout the night students had the opportunity to participate in many events. One of these events was the fundraising walk, where students from each team took turns walking around the track. In addition to the walk, there were activities set up by each team including games, entertainment, photo booths, food, crafts, and raffles.

This event is a fun opportunity for students and the community to work together for a cause as significant as cancer, however there were emotional moments throughout the night. One of the most emotional parts of the event was the Luminaria Ceremony. During this ceremony, the lights were dimmed as luminarias were lit in recognition of those lost, while cancer survivors, families who have lost loved ones, and others who have a personal story to share, spoke of their experiences.

Relay for Life is a great opportunity for Stevenson and the community to come together every year, and this was seen as especially true by those who helped make this event happen. The relay team leader, Jordyn Hoffman, when speaking about the night said: "It feels great to be a part of a community that wants to do well for others, finish the fight, and make this cancer's last generation. I could not be any more proud of how hard all these participants worked to give so much for the American Cancer Society." Jordyn's co-chair Emily Thursby, described how she felt about the event by saying: "I've always known that Stevenson University is way more than a University. We are a community and we are a family. At Relay, this was proven to the highest level."

This year Stevenson raised approximately $42,600 for the American Cancer Society, achieving a total of over $180,000 during the past five years of Relay for Life. Thank you to all the individuals that participated in this event, and a very special thank you to the team members who made the night run so smoothly and successfully!