Published: April 23, 2009 05:59 pm      

'Hooping' for a cure

Hundreds attend Relay for Life at Texas A&M-Commerce

COMMERCE — It was night and morning of fun and games and walking — lots of walking.

Texas A&M-Commerce hosted the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay of Life fundraiser to fight cancer Friday night through Saturday morning and hundreds attended.

“We’ve had an increase in our registrations this year from last year,” said Survivor’s Chairperson Valen Chavez. “We have about 15 percent more survivors registered.”

While the number of survivors increased, the number of corporate sponsors was down according to Event Chairperson Holly Brown. “I think that is due to a bad economy. We have 40 teams participating and we’ve raised over $40,000 before tonight’s events. Last year we had about $60,000 total. So we are hoping to break even with last year. And I think in this economy that will be a great accomplishment,” Brown said.

Besides the walk, teams had booths set up around the court of the university’s multipurpose center offering games, activities and items for sell to raise money.

The A&M-Commerce Athletic Department set up a Gatorade Pong table in one corner and business was brisk said Sports Information Director Danny Kambel. “It costs a dollar a game and we’ve been steady all night with people playing,” he said.

Other activities included Wii games, hula hoop contests and face painting.

The total tally from the evening has not yet been reported but regardless of the final outcome organizers and team members were proud to participate.

“You know, I am a little bit tired but this is for a great cause,” added university employee Brent Lyday, while manning a game in the early morning hours Saturday. “We’re all glad we can help out.”