LOCAL ‘RELAY FOR LIFE’ EVENT A RESOUNDING SUCCESS
New York Colleges Raise Over $64,000 to Battle Cancer

On March 14-15th, 2008, the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oneonta and Hartwick College came together to raise money for the American Cancer Society through the two colleges’ first annual Relay for Life event. Collectively, the college students along with several local supporters raised $64,394 for this special cause.

The event began at 7p.m on Friday at the Alumni Field House on the SUNY Oneonta campus. Almost 900 participants attended, with over 90 different teams, ranging from school clubs to residence halls to athletic teams.

Participants were entertained during the 12-hour event through live performances by local bands including Autumn Avenue, 20 Grand and Red Goodbye, as well as moving speeches by students directly affected by cancer.

More than 140 copies of a charity mix tape, titled “Harmony,” were also circulated at the event, featuring contributed songs by several up and coming musical artists of various genres. Musicians Justin Trawick, Ryan Lendt, Mandi Leigh, Christy Jefferson and Amy Famiglietti, as well as bands/groups HeathCliff, M.O.R., Molly’s Way and Jezebel all supplied songs with all proceeds from the disc going to the charity.

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For more information on the annual Relay For Life event, please contact Jill Ladouceur at (607) 766-6915 or through e-mail at suny.oneonta.relay@cancer.org. For more information regarding the Harmony Relay Mix Tape Project, please e-mail LeAnna Christiansen at chril93@oneonta.edu .