By Kate Anastasia Le | Staff writer
Florida International University students and staff gathered at the Modesto A. Maidique Campus last weekend for the 22nd annual Relay For Life.
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The event began with a ceremony to honor those lost to cancer. After the memorial, the focus shifted to direct acts of support, such as hair donations and fundraising for patients currently undergoing treatment.
Connection through struggle
FIU students gather in front of a colorful inflatable at the Relay For Life event | Kate Anastasia Le
Eden Clarke, a senior psychology major and the event’s director, said the goal was to move beyond just collecting donations.
“We wanted to create a space where people don’t just come to donate, but also to truly connect and share in the struggles of those fighting cancer,” Clarke said. “As a psychology student, I understand how powerful emotional support and real actions from the community can be for healing.”
The hair donation station
A volunteer manages the “Shave-A-Thon & Beautiful Lengths” check-in station | Kate Anastasia Le
One of the event’s most active areas was the hair donation station. Instead of participating in relay runs, dozens of students volunteered to cut their hair to support patients undergoing treatment.
Ana Correa, a senior business analytics major, managed the donation table. While recording donor information, she noted the contrast between her studies and the day’s impact.
“My major focuses a lot on numbers and data,” Correa said. “But today I’m here because of values that can’t really be measured. Seeing students willingly cut off hair they’ve grown for years for people they’ve never met is truly touching. These are the most meaningful numbers I’ve ever seen.”
Decades of campus unity
Participants walk along the path of hope | Kate Anastasia Le
Dr. Charlie Andrews, vice president for Student Affairs, highlighted the event’s 22-year history at FIU. He noted that the Division of Student Affairs, the Center for Leadership and Service, and the broader university community joined for a cause that has “impacted far too many individuals, their families and loved ones.”
“That’s why we join together in solidarity, just as we have done for 22 years here at FIU, to honor those who we have lost, lift up those who are actively battling cancer, and to celebrate our survivors,” Andrews said.
He added that the university hopes that efforts like Relay For Life will contribute to the work of the medical community and researchers who strive “to one day find a cure.”
Direct patient impact
All funds and hair donations collected will be sent to the American Cancer Society. The contributions will support several initiatives, including producing free wigs for patients undergoing chemotherapy, funding medical research for new treatments, and providing transportation and lodging for patients receiving care. The event concluded with a focus on the tangible difference students can make beyond the campus gates.
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