Paint Vandy Purple Week!
Yesterday marked the end of Paint Vandy Purple Week! What does that mean?
Well it involves not as much paint, but a lot of flyers, banners and purple ribbons. But why purple, one might wonder?
Well, it’s all for a good cause. Vanderbilt Relay for Life is one of the biggest student organizations on campus. It works side by side with the American Cancer Society to collect donations for cancer patients and cancer research, and for organizing a big relay event that takes place in the Student Recreation Center on October 26-27. It’s a twelve hour event that lasts from 3 PM to 3 AM. We like to call it “The one night stand you’ll never forget”.
I joined this organizations because it works for a cause that we all need to remember. Many people are fighting against Cancer every day, and many have lost their lives. We really need to put an end to it. My uncle was diagnosed with uveal cancer (eye cancer ) last year and it was very traumatic. Luckily he survived because he fought back and had a chain of support. Now I Relay to support those who fight back, and commemorate those we lost.
Cancer is a very depressing disease, but in order to get people involved we need to help them remember. We have been working since the beginning of the semester to raise donations and help raise awareness. We have also formed teams in every house on commons that will participate in Relay later in October!
I am a member of Paint Vandy Purple committee, and our busiest week was last week! It all started last Sunday. We got together, made a bunch of posters and banners and made sure that every where one went on campus, there is a spec of purple to remind people that they need to help us fight back against cancer. This meant that I was walking around campus with purple ribbon to decorate trees and/ or ramps, so if someone tells you that I was seen hugging a tree, it’s most likely because I was trying to get the purple ribbon around it.
Besides the fact that purple looks good on me, It felt really good to be doing something to help those who suffer. It might not be significant, but if it helps inform one person only that they can take part in the battle against cancer, it is worth it.
Look, even Martha River Ingram is wearing purple! Although the statue refused to get her arm in the sleeve. I think she’s starting a trend!
I can’t wait for our big Relay event in less than a month. I hope we can get more people to sign up and the American Cancer Society has the goal of reaching 100,000$ dollars in donations.
To my uncle, and everyone who has suffered/is suffering from cancer,
For a Cure!