DSU Community Supports Virtual Relay for Life and Out of the Darkness Walks
The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t stop the DeSales community from stepping up in a big way to support two important causes.
Both Relay for Life and the Out of the Darkness Walk went virtual this year. On Friday, April 24, Colleges Against Cancer took over the University’s Instagram page, sharing videos and photos from the more than 50 Relay participants, including a special video message from Father James Greenfield, president of DeSales. The virtual walk raised more than $5,500.
“Our goal through this event was to keep our message alive and to keep raising awareness and support for anyone who has been affected by cancer, and I think we did just that. We love our DeSales community and love that we all came together, even when we are apart, to honor those that we would have honored through our in-person Relay for Life.”
The following day, nearly 200 people raised more than $11,000 for the second annual Cedar Crest College/DeSales University Out of the Darkness Walk. The event raises awareness and funds for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and its goal of reducing the annual suicide rate by 20 percent by 2025.
“Taking care of our mental health is so important, and now more so than ever, we need to check in with our loved ones and take opportunities to nurture our own hearts and minds,” says Kristin Eicholtz, executive director of career development, whose team—Shining Bright for Hope—surpassed its goal of raising $2,500. “After losing my own sister to suicide a year and a half ago, this cause is even more near and dear to my heart. Not a day goes by that I'm not thinking of her or missing her.”
