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Relay for Life of WMU gears up

March 22, 2006

KALAMAZOO--Relay for Life of Western Michigan University is gearing up for its annual 24-hour walk-a-thon to raise money for the American Cancer Society at WMU's Kanley Track, Friday through Saturday, April 7-8.

Relay activities begin at noon Friday, April 7. An opening ceremony will be held at 3 p.m. Friday and the walk-a-thon continues through noon Saturday.

More than $12,000 has already been raised through the 2006 Relay for Life of WMU. About 50 relay teams have been formed, most of them by WMU student organizations. Some of the teams are open only to members of the respective organizations, but more than 20 teams are open to anyone who wants to join the fight against cancer and sign up to walk or jog at Kanley Track. All of the teams are accepting contributions from the general public to support their efforts.

One of the new teams in the relay represents WMU faculty and staff, but "We're open to anyone who wants to join," says Shannon Landis, team captain and manager of special events in the Office of the President. "We welcome students, alumni and friends, as well as any interested member of the faculty or staff."

Those interested can join the "WMU fac/staff" team by going to the Web address below and clicking on "Join Our Team." Contributions can be made online by clicking on "General Team Contribution" or on the name of any of the team members listed. Tax-deductible gifts can be designated in honor or memory of a cancer victim, survivor, family member or friend.

WMU Faculty and Staff Team
www.acsevents.org/faf/r.asp?t=12&i=133362&g=1245268

For more information about the WMU faculty and staff team or to sign up to walk at a specific time, contact Landis at shannon.landis@wmich.edu.

Opportunities to join or contribute to other teams are similar. For a complete list of teams and more information about the Relay for Life of Western Michigan University, go to the following Web address.

Relay for Life of Western Michigan University
www.acsevents.org/relay/mi/wmu

Among the top teams in total contributions raised to date are the student organizations Colleges Against Cancer, which has raised more than $1,300, the Western Student Association, with more than $900 in early contributions, and Ackley-Shilling Halls, which has raised more than $800.

Some WMU faculty, staff and students are also planning to participate the Relay for Life in June at Loy Norrix High School in Kalamazoo. All of the money raised through relay events held throughout the region and the country, supports the American Cancer Society.

Media contact: Thom Myers, (269) 387-8400, thom.myers@wmich.edu

WMU News
Office of University Relations
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5433 USA
(269) 387-8400
www.wmich.edu/wmu/news