Student chapter nationally recognized for raising cancer awareness
Student Experience
Kate Amabile founded the University of Richmond Relay for Life chapter because she wanted to bring the campus together in the fight against cancer. After two successful fundraising years, the organization was honored as one of five Rising Stars at the annual American Cancer Society On-Campus Top Performer’s Conference in Dallas from July 28-30. The Richmond chapter was presented the award at a ceremony on Saturday night to recognize the group’s leadership, growth, and future potential.
“They made big strides their very first year and continued their success their second year,” said Jane Roberts, senior development manager at ACS Virginia. “They have great leadership and their donations have increased every year. That’s why we view them as a Rising Star.”
Amabile, who lost her grandfather to prostate cancer, first became involved with Relay for Life in high school. The event celebrates cancer survivors, remembers loved ones lost to the disease, and raises funds for American Cancer Society research and programs. Over 1.9 million new cancer cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year.
“I decided to start Relay for Life at UR because of how impactful and life changing this event is,” said Amabile, a rising senior and the chapter’s president. “So many families are touched by cancer, and it takes fundraising efforts from passionate people across the world to make an impact.”
Relay for Life participants collect pledges for their teams, then raise money by walking laps during a four-hour event. The 2022 and 2023 UR Relay events raised nearly $60,000.
In addition to making donations to individuals and teams, donors can also purchase and decorate luminarias to honor loved ones who have had cancer. During a special ceremony, the lights are turned off and the luminarias glow in the dark around the track. Speakers share their experiences with cancer during this intimate time, and attendees crack open glow sticks in solidarity.
“At our 2023 event we had several speakers, one being fellow Spider Penny Armenio,” Amabile said. “She lost her dad to cancer in the fall of 2022 and was brave enough to share her story with us at the event. Her dad was an oncologist and devoted his whole life to saving the lives of other cancer patients. We relay for people like Penny.”
Accounting professor Nancy Bagranoff serves as the organization’s advisor and the Robins School is the presenting sponsor for the chapter.
“Under Kate Amabile’s leadership, and with the support of many dedicated students across campus, this chapter has far and away exceeded all expectations,” Bagranoff said. “It is no surprise, then, that the American Cancer Society, would recognize this effort as a Rising Star.”
Amabile is proud of the leadership team and entire UR chapter for working so hard to make the event a success. “Our chapter is extremely committed to Relay, to raising money for a life-threatening illness, and to organizing an amazing event to honor those affected by cancer,” Amabile said.