JCU's first Relay For Life is #1 in Nation

John Carroll's 2007 American Cancer Society “Relay For Life,” held in April, has just been named the top Relay For Life collegiate event in the country for its enrollment bracket.

JCU's Relay raised $100,356.86, well above its goal of $40,000.

“Congratulations to John Carroll University , #1 in the nation in their enrollment bracket of 2,500 to 4,999 with $25.76 per capita! This was John Carroll's first year to Relay and they set the pace for the nation!” said JoNell Peterson , Ohio vice president, Relay For Life.

“Many members of the JCU community were involved in making this event a success and I thank all of them for their commitment,” said John Carroll President Robert L. Niehoff, S.J. “These outstanding results characterize John Carroll students, faculty and staff, and their desire to serve others and make a difference in our world.”

John Carroll's Relay achievement will be recognized four times this fall: at the annual board meeting of the American Cancer Society-Cuyahoga Area on Sept. 12, at the National Collegiate Relay Summit in Dallas , Texas , on Sept. 15, at the 2007 Ohio Relay for Life Leadership Summit in Columbus on Sept. 28-29, and at the Ohio Collegiate Relay Summit in Columbus on Oct. 27.

JCU's event was planned in just 90 days by Event Chair Joel Mullner '07, Co-chair Patrick Kelly '07, and 20 dedicated members of the Relay leadership team.

The 2007 Relay at JCU registered 832 participants on 65 teams, including 30 survivors. An estimated 1,200 people attended the event.

John Carroll and the University of Dayton were the only colleges out of 24 from Ohio to receive national recognition. Dayton finished fifth in its enrollment bracket of 5,000-9,999 students. There were also several Jesuit institutions, including Georgetown University , Saint Louis University , and Loyola College , to rank in the top five of their respective enrollment brackets.

The Second Annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life at John Carroll University will be April 26-27, 2008. More information can be found online at www.jcu.edu/relay

About the American Cancer Society Relay For Life at John Carroll University

Relay For Life, the world's largest community fundraiser, aims to celebrate cancer survivorship, remember those we've lost to the disease, and give everyone an opportunity to fight back in the battle against cancer. The 18-hour event combines food, fun, entertainment, and games with emotion-packed ceremonies, to create an unforgettable experience for the participants. Throughout the overnight event, at least one member of each team must walk or run laps, symbolic of the fact that cancer never sleeps. All proceeds benefit the research, education, advocacy, and service programs of the American Cancer Society. The Relay For Life at John Carroll University got its start in 2007 under the leadership of Joel Mullner '07 and Patrick Kelly '07, who were quickly praised for “starting the biggest campus tradition” by the school's newspaper, The Carroll News .