One Last Push Towards A Relay to Remember

Well, it’s been a fantastic year, but we’re not finished yet! We have just hours to go until the event of the year: Relay For Life. It’s time, however, to remember, remember that we Relay for those battling cancer day by day, those who won, and those who lost. We have survivors within our own community, and today we’re going to explore just one story, and, hopefully, get inspired to bring in those last few dollars right before the big night.

Leigh Barie, a second year here at UVA, has been around the track and back; battling a brain tumor at the very young age of ten. She recounts that after taking a few too many falls at a family ski trip, she exhibited signs of a concussion. After a few tests, she remembers hearing that “I was shockingly diagnosed with brain cancer and within a month I found myself on the operating table at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, fighting for my survival against impossible odds.” Can you imagine? A family ski trip turned towards the absolute worst-case scenario. I, for one, am trying to understand what it must have been like for Barie, to hear words no-one should ever hear, let alone a ten-year-old little girl.

Thankfully, Barie had a wonderful support group behind her during this incredibly difficult time of her life, a group lead by her own mother. Barie recounts, “Although I will forever be indebted to the doctors and nurses who were my own personal miracle-workers, giving me a second chance in life, it is my mother who will always be my hero.  It was in the hospital that I came to realize the overwhelming power of a mother's love, for only she could tenderly comb through what was left of my tangled hair, matted with blood and pieces of flesh; only she could look at my swollen and battered face and not burst into tears, always keeping a brave face on for my sake; only she could sleep in a chair by my side, never letting go of my hand.” Her mother, through thick and thin, was there for her. Even to this day, Barie holds and incredible amount of respect and love with her mother, and these two incredible women share a bond with a strength not often seen.

As we Relay, we must remember WHY we Relay. During that first, momentous lap, let’s keep in our hearts the memories of Barie and her family, the stories we all hold, the memories we all have. Remember that this Relay just isn’t about raising money (although it is incredibly important). Relay is about recognizing that Cancer Never Sleeps, So Neither Do We. We walk to share the cause, and bring hope to those who suffer, as well as those who survive.

Let’s have the best Relay ever everyone,

Relay Love,

Relay For Life at UVA

Cupcakes for Relay: What Could be Sweeter???

Now, as we get closer and closer to the BIG NIGHT, it seems appropriate to throw out a little shout out to a local cupcake shop that has shown an incredible amount of support for Relay For Life at UVA.

Tara Koenig, owner of SweetHaus on Main Street, has been supporting Relay for the past few months by donating a portion of the profit for every cupcake with purple frosting to Relay For Life at UVA. Her incredible generosity has provided a huge boost for fundraising, and it seems fitting that in the final countdown we get to know really who Tara Koenig is, and what prompted her to get involved with Relay here at UVA.

When asked about how she became involved with Relay at UVA, she recounts that she was sought after by students from Relay looking to see if she was interested in a fundraiser. As she says, “[I] was happy to be asked and to be able to offer support.” These cupcakes have not only been sold in the shop, but also by students on grounds to, not only raise funds for Relay, but also (a happy side effect) to spread the word about SweetHaus. Koenig states, “I was really excited when Kate Belza offered to sell our cupcakes on the lawn.” So excited, in fact, that she increased her donation from fifty cents to seventy-five cents per cupcake! “I really appreciate their time and effort to come and pick up the cupcakes at the shop as well as spend their time selling them on the lawn.” This arrangement has definitely been a win-win for both SweetHaus and Relay.

We all know that working for Relay is incredibly satisfying, but what does Koenig find to be the best part about sponsoring this fundraiser? “Incorporating charity into something people are excited to do on a regular basis, like eating cupcakes, makes you feel good in every possible way. You are getting a sweet treat, you are donating to charity, and hopefully eventually you will have participated in saving a life! I have learned that every little cent can add up to make a difference. It’s true in business, and it’s true in fundraising!” Koenig’s business experience has given her a new perspective that we are glad to have supporting our Relay event, and we are all, I’m sure, incredibly grateful to Koenig for her involvement these last few months.

However, this stellar owner of SweetHaus isn’t just incredibly generous. Koenig, as well as many of us, has her own cancer story, and a close-to-the-heart reason for providing support for Relay For Life. Koenig lost her only sister, only 34 years old, to cancer only six years ago. As stated on her website, Koenig is “often struck by how many people I come into contact with who have also suffered the loss of a loved one from cancer.” Her own personal story has helped to forge a wonderful bond between a new, up and coming business within in the Charlottesville community and Relay at UVA. When we all work together, it is amazing what we can do to utilize the communities created by cancer to work for a cure, and many, many more birthdays.

So, maybe in these last days before Relay, you’ll find yourself out at SweetHaus doing a little bit of good not only for Relay, but also for yourself (who doesn’t love a good cupcake?)! Let’s get those last cents in right before the big night!

As always, with Relay-Love,

Relay For Life at UVA