MTSU, community raise thousands for Relay for Life ‘FIGHT’ against cancer

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — The community turned out in droves recently for the annual Relay for Life fundraiser on the Middle Tennessee State University campus.

In the student-led event at the Campus Recreation Center, 250-plus MTSU students, faculty and staff — along with Murfreesboro and Rutherford County residents and alumni — participated in the four-hour activity that has raised more than $16,300-plus — far exceeding the $10,000 goal so far and raising awareness in the American Cancer Society fight against cancer.

As part of the American Cancer Society MTSU Relay for Life event, participants parade around the Middle Tennessee State University Campus Recreation Center gym carrying LED glow sticks during the special luminaria ceremony. Many MTSU students turned out for the event, held March 22 on the MTSU campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Natalie Williams, left, a Middle Tennessee State University student in a service learning project for a health promotions class, watches as an MTSU Relay for Life participant makes a smoothie while riding a stationary bicycle during the event held March 22 in the Campus Recreation Center in Murfreesboro, Tenn. MT Dining provided the bike and supplies to make the smoothies. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Participants were involved in a number of planned activities — games, walks, luminaria, food and drink and more — throughout the evening.

Guest speaker Taylor Blanton, a registered nurse from Woodbury, Tennessee, shared his story of battling cancer (primary cardiac intimal sarcoma with brain metastases).

“Cancer thinks it can win, but it is wrong because we are the winners in this battle because we are fighters,” he said, adding that he created an acronym for “FIGHT” — “faith and fellowship, ignite the fight, gratitude, healthy healing and transparency.”

Blanton thanked MTSU “for putting on this Relay for Life event. Having a community like MTSU to support cancer patients and the fight we go through is so special. Also, I want to thank the students who help make this happen. You don’t realize the impact you make in people’s lives and for the future of the cancer community. You never know _— you might be the one who finds the cure for cancer, or you may help someone’s life by participating.”

Cancer survivors including guest speaker Taylor Blanton, right, of Woodbury, Tenn., hold the American Cancer Society Relay for Life “SURVIVORS” banner while leading the parade around the Campus Recreation Center gym floor on the Middle Tennessee State University campus in Murfreesboro, Tenn. The annual MTSU Relay for Life fundraising event was held March 22, attracting about 250 people for a variety of activities. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Alessia Truden, left, of Palermo, Italy, returns a shot in a mini tennis game with a participant attending the annual Middle Tennessee State University Relay for Life fundraising event in the Campus Recreation Center gym in Murfreesboro, Tenn. A redshirt senior, Truden is a member of the women’s tennis team that sponsored the March 22 event. (MTSU photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

Kailyn Burkeens, a senior double major (biochemistry and psychology) from Selmer, Tennessee — Kailyn Burkeens

Kailyn Burkeens, the MTSU Relay for Life student president, said she was “astounded by the number of student-led organizations who advertised, showed up and put in the work for this event. We had so many wonderfully decorated tables selling multiple food and drink items along with other merch.”

Burkeens, a senior double major (biochemistry and psychology) from Selmer, Tennessee, graduating in May, said the committee had multiple organizations donate items including two Fitbits, AirPods and a gift card.

“All the students I spoke with were so excited to be there and eager to raise as much money as they could,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for a better campus community and this event drastically exceeded my expectations.”

MTSU Health and Human Performance associate professor Bethany Wrye’s health promotions class used the March 22 event as a service learning project.

Dianna Rust, the event director, University Studies professor and Integrated Studies and Professional Studies program coordinator, said campus sponsors included MTSU EXL (Experimental Learning), MT Engage, MT Dining, the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences and University College.

Community support came from The Boulevard, Slick Pig, Blaze Pizza, Donut Country and Nothing Bundt Cakes, all sponsoring give back nights. Nothing Bundt Cakes’ give back will be April 14-20.

— Randy Weiler (Randy.Weiler@mtsu.edu)