Post Relay

Mercyhurst University's Relay For Life was a success! We raised more than our goal of $25,000 and we had more participants than we hoped for. It was cold, but we made it through. I am still not as rested as I would like to be, but I am getting there. I slept from 1-6 after the event ended on Saturday, then again from 9pm-11am. I could hardly walk the next day because I was so sore. I also do not remember anything during Friday night/Saturday morning.

At 11pm, a bonfire was started so participants could roast marshmallows. At 1pm, mostly everyone was gone or sleeping in their tents (the few, the brave). I was one of 5 who stayed up all 24hours and it was not because I wanted to. I was forced and I am not doing that again. Staring into a fire for 9 straight hours was not something I feel the need to do again either. The bonfire lasted until 10am the next morning and I think it was the only thing that kept many of us alive.

The heat and a combination of dancing and screaming "Call Me Maybe" at the top of our lungs seemed to give us new life. I can't tell you how many times I jumped around to that song, but it was what kept me going. Besides that song, the best part of Relay 2012 were the hundreds of bagels that got delivered on Saturday morning. When I asked Jo's Brooklyn Bagels to donate they said "sure, we will give you leftover bagels, probably a tub." They came with about 8 tubs! It was crazy, we will be eating bagels for months! Even after fighting the cold and the urge to sleep, I am so thankful I participated in this Relay. The people I met on the Committee are amazing and they have become good friends. We are a wild bunch and I am glad many will be returning for next year's Relay. I am sad to see the seniors go, but hopefully they will come visit. Relay bonding isn't yet, we still get to have a cookout and eat the leftover hotdogs! We are also having a meeting next week to decide on next years theme.