GRANVILLE -- Students organizing the fourth annual American Cancer Society's Relay For Life event at Denison University have set an ambitious goal - to raise a record $80,000. The 2007 Relay For Life events will begin with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. on Friday (April 13) in the Mitchell Athletic Center. The event will continue until 11 a.m. on Saturday morning and is free and open to the public.

President Dale Knobel and Mrs. Knobel will take the first lap of thousands that will be taken that night with two cancer survivors from the Denison faculty and staff, Melissa Delcecato of the student activities office and John Jackson, associate professor of black studies. Other survivors will take to the track for a special lap at 5:40 p.m. with teams and individuals joining in.

Hundreds of students participated in Denison's 2006 Relay For Life held in the college's Mitchell Center.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivors and raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives, help those who have been touched by cancer, and empower individuals to combat the disease. Previous Relay For Life events at Denison raised nearly $200,000 for cancer research. Some $25,000 already has been raised toward this year's goal.

The luminaria ceremony is set for 9 p.m. Throughout the evening and night there will be live music from a variety of campus and local bands, including Liquid Courage, Daira and Think Tank; contests such as bench press, ping pong, cornhole, four square and scavenger hunts; other entertainment including a drag show and karaoke; and informational booths and plenty of refreshments. in addition, a chest waxing event is planned for 8:45 a.m. on Saturday morning.

Calendar Listing:

CALENDAR LISTING: Denison University, Granville -- Relay For Life events to raise funds for the American Cancer Society: opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. Friday (April 13); luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m.; closing ceremonies at 11 a.m. Saturday (April 14); Mitchell Athletic Center (200 Livingston Drive). Free and open to the public.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575