UToledo Relay for Life Returns with Pickleball Tournament
Written By: Lauren York
TOLEDO, Ohio – The University of Toledo Relay for Life is returning to campus on Saturday, Nov. 14, with a space-themed pickleball tournament and other activities at the Recreation Center to raise funds for cancer research and patient care.
UToledo’s Relay for Life is a community fundraising event that works with the American Cancer Society, a national health organization dedicated to cancer prevention, research, advocacy, and patient services.
All earnings and donations from fundraising and the event go to the American Cancer Society as well as cancer research and cancer patient treatment. There is no registration fee to attend Relay for Life; To enter the pickleball tournament, there is a $20 entry fee per team.
With this year’s theme, “Launch Cancer Out of this World,” the tournament will have a 40-team limit with double-elimination play, meaning every team is guaranteed 2 games. The doors will open at 10 a.m., and paddles begin swinging at 11 a.m.
“We just want everyone on campus to come out and support,” said Administrative Director for UToledo Relay for Life Ava Heck. “Obviously, it’s a great cause. We are very passionate about it. We want to fight cancer, and we want to see as many people win the fight against cancer that we can.”
There are also a few other things happening besides the pickleball tournament, including raffles, survivor lunch, and Luminaria. The survivor lunch offers a space for survivors and affected loved ones to connect.
“Survivors are welcome to come and engage with other people who have fought and won a similar fight that they have,” said UToledo Relay for Life External Director Braden Gartee. “It’s a special event for gathering people who have been personally affected by cancer.
The Luminaria ceremony is a tradition where participants decorate paper lanterns made from bags and walk around the track with the lights dimmed. People often dedicate their decorated paper lanterns to loved ones that have been lost, or those still battling cancer.
“It’s a celebration of people’s fight. We dim the lights, and we walk around the track in honor of people who have fought cancer or lost their lives to cancer,” said Heck.
Student organizations can also compete for the annual Relay for Life fundraising trophy, which is given to the group that raises the most donations. Organizers are also conducting can drives on and off to help with fundraising efforts.
Students can sign up for the tournament by searching “Relay for Life UToledo” online or by visiting the group’s Instagram page, @relayforlifeutoledo. If anyone is interested in donating or learning more about the cause, click on the link tree below.
