Relay for Life – Hula for a Cure

Six years ago, Katie Kristiansen’s father was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma.  Though treatment was able to remove cancer cells and put him into remission for five years, he passed away this February.  Katie’s story is a major motivation for Sigma Alpha Lambda members, and her determination helped her to raise the highest amount of money at Kansas State University’s Relay for Life.   A member of SAL at KSU, she raised $2,905 for her team.

In Katie’s words, “Cancer has taken the lives of too many people and is now taking my dad from my family and me.  I am participating in Relay for Life so that fewer people will have to go through what my family and I went through this last year.”  That is why Katie relays.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is the main focus of SAL’s spring semester.  Chapters all over the United States join together in an all night activity to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones who have lost their lives to cancer, and raise money to continue the fight against the disease.

Teams worked hard all semester to achieve their Relay for Life goal.  Individual members solicited donations from their families and friends while the chapters themselves held multiple fundraisers – some even during Relay itself.  While part of the team walked the track, others team members raised money by selling ice cream sodas, holding ping pong matches, or organizing other unique activities related to SAL’s annual theme, Hula for a Cure.  SAL members were able to buy and sell T-shirts decorated for this theme.

This was SAL’s first year as one of seven National Youth Partners with the American Cancer Society. As a National Youth Affiliate, we are working towards a goal of $100,000 in five years.  We are off to a great start; this year 39 chapters, 422 participants and 812 donations raised $28,315.73! This incredible total has broken all of our previous records!

Special recognition goes to these chapters for raising the most money:

  1. Kansas State University  – $3,170
  2. San Diego State University – $2,345
  3. Rowan University – $2,183


Other chapters who raised over $1000 to date include:

  • University of Louisiana
  • University of Georgia
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • George Washington University
  • Boston University
  • University of Minnesota
  • University of Pittsburgh
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln


Because of our SAL chapters, the American Cancer Society can provide an additional:

  • 25  early detection cancer screenings
  • 29 hours of cancer research
  • 40 hours of counseling and support for cancer patients
  • 282 hours of education on cancer preventions

We appreciate every donation and every dollar that helped us to achieve our goal and to change hundreds of lives.    This is why we relay.




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