Student relay teams work on batons and lumineers in Lakeside on March 19.
Cancer sucks. One of the worst parts about cancer is the cost.
Since 1985, Relay For Life has raised money and spread awareness about the widespread impact of cancer. As one of the first colleges to hold a Relay For Life event, Doane, in conjunction with Saline County, has been raising thousands of dollars every year to fight cancer. As the American Cancer Society put it: “Relay For Life is more than a walk – it’s a chance to come together in your local community to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against every cancer as we come together for every life.”
While Doane is just one of many Relay For Life hosts, all of the events have four key traditions: celebrating survivors, recognizing caregivers, lighting the way and taking action. The third one is mostly done by “lighting luminarias,” or lit paper bags that line the track, each dedicated to a specific person.
While this event is highlighted throughout the year, Relay For Life hosts a variety of other events in preparation. On March 17, Relay Puzzle Race brought 14 puzzle teams (four of them being sponsored student teams) to campus. The first-place team, the Piece Makers, finished in just 28 minutes. Second place was the Misfits (led by Associate Professor Peggy Hart), third place was the Jigsaw Gals (led by experiential learning coordinator Stephanie Hemje) and by a few short seconds, fourth place was The Good, The Bad, and The Puzzled (led by Assistant Professor of Practice Nathaniel Wilson).
On March 19, many relay teams came together to decorate the batons that they will eventually use in the relay itself.
All of this will culminate in a six-hour relay full of dodgeball, money-raising and lots of walking on April 10, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 12 a.m. The 2026 fundraising goal is $30,000.
