With a $20K goal, volunteers preparing for March 28 MTSU Relay for Life

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Volunteering for Relay for Life comes naturally for Middle Tennessee State University social work major Sloane Underhill.

“A lot of family here have had cancer,” said Underhill, 21, of Murfreesboro, event recruitment chair, mentioning a cousin, Taylor Blanton of Woodbury, who spoke at the 2024 MTSU Relay for Life. Underhill’s mother, Tracy Underhill, is also friends with Dianna Rust, a University Studies professor and mentor to the student-led organization.

MTSU Relay for Life’s annual fundraiser takes place from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 28, in the Campus Recreation Center gym, 1848 Blue Raider Drive. Around 200 to 300 people — students, volunteers, faculty, staff and others — are expected. Parking is available in nearby lots.

Participants will be involved in numerous planned activities — games, walks, luminaria, food and drink and more — throughout the evening.

As part of the American Cancer Society MTSU Relay for Life event, participants parade around the Middle Tennessee State University Campus Recreation Center gym in Murfreesboro, Tenn., carrying LED glow sticks during the special luminaria ceremony in this March 2024 file photo. With a goal of $20,000 this year, MTSU’s Relay for Life student organization is planning this year’s fundraiser from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday, March 28, in the rec center gym. (MTSU file photo by Cat Curtis Murphy)

director of prior learning assessment and an associate professor in MTSU’s Department of University Studies — Dr. Dianna Rust

As of March 19, Rust said they “have raised over $4,000 toward our goal of $20,000, so we could really use support from the community. We would love for (cancer) survivors to join us and be recognized. It is a family friendly event, and we invite all MTSU staff, students and the community to join us.”

In her recruitment role and first time to be involved, Sloane Underhill, who transferred to MTSU from Union University in Jackson, said she “is the one who tries to get people involved with Relay for Life. It’s a great cause to support. It corresponds with my major. I’ve always had a desire to help people.”

In early March, during an on-campus Relay for Life promotions event in the Student Union Commons, mother-daughter Pamela Milliken and Melanie Milliken drove from Knoxville to participate. Pamela Milliken works in marketing and community outreach for Blaze Pizza, one of MTSU Relay for Life’s sponsors.

“We’ve had other fundraisers. This seems like a good fit for us,” said Pamela Milliken, an MTSU alumna who made the trip a campus visit for Melanie Milliken, 16, a high school sophomore at L&N STEM Academy, who planned to return for another look during her school’s spring break.

On-campus sponsors include MTSU EXL (experiential learning), MT Engage, the College of Liberal Arts and University College.

To learn more, visit www.relayforlife.org/mtsu or call 615-898-5325.

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