Despite rainy weather, roughly 150 people gathered to bring awareness and raise money to support the fight against cancer by participating in Colleges Against Cancer’s “Gleaux Run.” Following the theme, men, women and children sported neon gear, creative costumes and glow sticks to shed light on the darkness that cancer victims experience.
The “Gleaux Run” is an American Cancer Society event taking place all over the southeast. The run consisted of a 5k and a one-mile Family Fun Run, which started in Friendship Circle last Friday night.
Relay for Life has community-based volunteer events all over the world and raises money for the ACS. CAC raises awareness all over the United States and is comprised of volunteers who help fight cancer through several methods and fundraising programs.
“With the money, we are funding research grants and patient programs. These include things like rides to treatment, and Hope Lodge, a place people can stay while they are getting treatment,” said Ashlie Ming, an ACS specialist.
The organization raised more than $4,000 to contribute to the ACS including race day registration.
 “Relay for Life is one of those events that people just flock to,” said Rachell Sons, president of Southeastern’s chapter of CAC. “I’m happy with the turn out.”
“Team Dwight” is running in honor of Dwight Raiford who recently beat cancer. He was diagnosed with cancer on Dec. 19, 2013, and it was removed on Jan. 2, 2014. His wife, Becky Raiford is the South Tangipahoa president for Relay for Life in Hammond and organized this team.
“I had a tumor in my bladder that was cancerous and fast-growing: a double-whammy,” said Raiford.
Trevor Vampran, a junior majoring in Communication, received the ACS “Volunteer of the Year” award. He is part of the CAC committee and was recognized for all of his volunteer efforts in fighting back against cancer. Vampran was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2008 and “Team Trevor” was started shortly after by his mother Pam Vampran.
‘”Team Trevor’ was a support group that we founded whenever I was going through treatment for my leukemia, and now that I am in remission for five years now, it acts as an organization that raises money for various organizations like the American Cancer Society,” said Vampran. “It started out as family and friends, but now we’re nation-wide and even have people in other countries that support me.”
Members of Team Trevor have raised over $100,000 for ACS and also have been raising money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital for the past several years.
“I loved it. I think it turned out better than I thought it would. We had a great time despite the rainy weather, since this is our first year, I just can’t thank all the runners and other organizational members that helped put this together enough,” said Vampran.
Jack Lee, first-place winner of the 5k from Loranger, Lousiana, participates and places in many races for different charitable events. He ran it in 20 minutes and 39 seconds in memory of his two grandmothers, Julia Decker and Isabel Menchaca.
“I challenge myself,” said Lee. “I don’t think it’s a race against others; it’s a race against myself.”
Jacob Thomas was the first-place winner for the 1-mile run. Thomas ran in honor of his grandmother, Nancy Thomas, who had cancer for thirteen years and is now a cancer survivor.
Pizza was provided for participants at the finish line. Domino’s donated five pizzas and provided a discount for the remaining cost Most of the funds to run this event were raised because CAC went out to local businesses in Hammond and asked for their support.
The awards ceremony that was scheduled at the end of the race was canceled as well as the luminaria ceremony due to the poor weather conditions. Usually, white bags are decorated in honor or memory of someone who has battled cancer and these lit bags would have been laid around Friendship Circle.
The Hammond Relay for Life event will be hosted in North Oak Park on Nov. 1. All students and members of the community are invited to start a team online at relayforlife.org and support the ACS. Anyone with questions about Relay for Life events or services provided by the ACS are encouraged to contact Ashlie Ming at 504-219-2283 or [email protected].