Saint Anselm hosted the Sr. Pauline Lucier Relay for Life Opening Ceremony and Relay for Life Fundraiser at 6pm on Friday, April 4. The event hosted 47 teams, consisting of athletics teams, clubs, service societies, and more, aiming to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

The college’s goal of $87,000 was just barely missed, with donations raking up a grand total of $70,941. The fundraising event is hosted by the Relay for Life Committee, which consists of the acting presidents of the four service societies of Saint Anselm. Starting at 6:30, teams and individuals who registered for the event arrive in the Carr Center, and “the societies do such an amazing job of setting up, and they have the relay committee [also], and they have really put their heart and soul into the event,” said Molly Timberlake ‘25.

The event began with the Opening Ceremony, and all participants at the event heard from the four societies’ presidents, as well as cancer survivors or caregivers. “The Grand Marshall this year spoke about having incurable brain cancer and how she copes with that and her life struggles, and how it turned into a fortunate event,” Timberlake said. The Opening Ceremony is “when we kind of get the night rolling,” Timberlake added.

This year’s Grand Marshall was Stephanie Green, “and we found her because she is Elizabeth Kelly’s, from Health Services, best friend,” Gooding said. “I think this year’s Grand Marshall was a very motivational and well spoken person,” said Timberlake. “She kind of did a great job at showing everyone her mindset of having cancer and how it’s something she thinks of as a gift. And I think it really woke a lot of people up and changed their minds about life, and it was really cool to see,” said Timberlake.

“I agree with that, hearing her perspective is so eye opening,” Gooding said. “If she can be that positive in something as life changing and as scary as having brain cancer, then we can admit we complain about things that aren’t so bad,” Gooding continued.

“If she can have perspective like this during what she’s going through, I should be able to wake up with that perspective,” Gooding added.

Following the Opening Ceremony with the speeches is the first lap.

“The first lap is survivors, the second lap is survivors and caregivers, and the third lap is everyone,” said Eileen Gooding, President of the Saint Elizabeth Seton Society. Throughout the night, each ser vice society hosts their own event during the fundraiser. “Seton does the haircutting ceremony, Keys does the “Pie a Key” and tug of war, Teddy’s does the cookout, and Koin does Luminaria.”

Class of 2025 President, with an important role in government and her team for Relay, Timberlake remarked on the wonderful individuals she was on a team with.

Gooding said that regarding their goal of $87,000, “it’s good motivation for next year, because people were definitely disappointed, but now it’s just more motivation for next year.” “I also think a big difference with raising money is that there were more sports teams this year that couldn’t go than in the past,” Gooding said, “because of away games they wouldn’t be here, which I think makes a big difference.”

“I participated in Relay for Life through the Student Government Association, and I have participated with them in Relay for Life with them for the past four years,” Timberlake said.

“Luckily I was on an amazing team, and Sal, Diego, Olivia Habig, they took the role in ordering T-shirts, making the poster, and they did a great job of getting us ready for Relay, and kind of telling the new members what it’s all about and the excitement of it,” Timberlake said.

Working alongside her team, Timberlake said “they did a phenomenal job of getting us all ready, so I was lucky in the fact that I just had to show up and do my part in ‘relaying for life’.”

Upon arrival at the Carr Center for the event, “the overall energy was high, very high,” Timberlake said. “Every time I’ve been at Relay the energy is always very high. I also think it being the last Relay for Life that I’ll participate in as a student here was really bittersweet,” Timberlake added.

Whether you were a part of a society, a club, or any other team that was registered, the meaning of the event remains true for all.

In true Anselmian fashion, hundreds of students and community members gathered to celebrate the lives lost to cancer, the lives that have survived, and the lives that continue to fight. Great job Saint Anselm and rallying to raise money for more birthdays.