College junior Betsy Harbison hands out information packages to students who attend the Relay for Life kickoff in December. (Alexandra Milin/DP)

Intravenous tubes, catheters, radiation treatment and scalpels.

We’re not about to page McDreamy in an episode of Grey’s Anatomy — this is a slice of reality. Take a minute to imagine simultaneously tackling rigors of an Ivy League education and debilitating effects of cancer.

In September 2005, Engineering sophomore Kevin Rakszawski was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma which forced him to take a leave of absence from Penn for an entire year. He has been in remission since July and resumed his studies this past fall.

“The hardest part was leaving — moving out,” Rakszawski said. “It was such a change of pace, going from the college life to being a patient.”

Fortunately, Penn students are very aware of cancer’s widespread impact and are eager to support research for future cures. A particularly dedicated group of student leaders brought Relay for Life, a national fundraiser for cancer research, to Penn.

The event spans from 8pm on March 30th until 8am on March 31st and will be held on Franklin Field. Relay for Life is the yearly event sponsored by Colleges Against Cancer, a subdivision of the American Cancer Society.

Rakszawski agreed to speak at last year’s relay, toward the end of his treatment for lymphoma. He will participate again this year.

“Everyone has a personal story and a reason for being there,” Rakszawski said. “There’s a huge feeling of hope for the future.

Team participants agree — the twelve-hour event stands for so much more than simply raising money.

“People feel like you’re sacrificing something,” Engineering junior Becca Goldman who participated last year said. “It’s a really moving experience.”

Wharton senior Corey Hulse is one of two event chairs this year. The son of a breast cancer survivor, he has been involved in similar events since high school and helped organize Penn’s first relay three years ago. 57 teams are already signed up for this years’s relay. The teams have raised $15,000 to date.

“We feel that it’s more about survivors sharing their stories with the community,” Hulse said. “We’re trying to make a big push this year to get more faculty and staff involvement.”

Cancer is a universal enemy that attacks without discrimination, and I truly admire the students who organize this annual event. For Penn students, faculty and staff: it isn’t too late to sign up and join a team–I did just yesterday.

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