The UCF Orlando Student Nurses Association Chapter and the Association of Pre-Nursing Students joined forces last weekend to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life event. Collectively the students raised $1,155 – surpassing their 2012 donation by nearly $400.
The students achieved this by collecting online donations and by selling raffle tickets for a chance to win two Disney Park-Hopper tickets and a gift certificate for a dozen Sweet! mini cupcakes. The raffle prizes were won by students Becca Hisamato and Karen Rodriguez respectively. The group also sold cupcakes at the event to raise additional funds.
To decorate their tent for the ‘all-nighter’ event, the students asked faculty, staff and students to write a personal message on a foam star to a loved one affected by cancer. “We were able to hang 159 foam stars and hope to continue this tradition every year,” said Alexis Marano, the community health chairperson for the Student Nurses Association on UCF’s Orlando campus. “One person said our tent was the best decorated.”
The group hopes to garner even more support at next year’s event scheduled March 15-16 from 1 p.m. until 7 a.m.