Meet Exec!

Meet the 2017-2018 Relay Exec Chairs!

Relay Chairs:

Caroline Biondo 

Year: Third

Major: Foreign Affairs

Why I Relay: My reasons to Relay (unfortunately) continue to grow. I Relay for Kathy Kleaka, Coach Deb Brown and Sally Kuisel. I want to live in a world where no one has to hear the words, "You have cancer."

Fun Fact: I have 2 fake teeth!

Maggie Low

Year: Fourth

Major: Public Policy and Leadership

Why I Relay: I relay for my Dad, who passed away from colon cancer. I also relay to celebrate, remember, and FIGHT BACK!

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Entertainment Chairs:

Rebecca Richardson

Year: Fourth

Major: Politics

Why I Relay: I Relay so that the words "you have cancer" don't have to be heard ever again. I Relay in honor of Sam Cox and in memory of Brennon Picarella and B.B. Lind.

Fun Fact: I'm allergic to every animal with fur!!!!!

Derek Wu 

Year: Fourth

Major: Chemical Engineer

Why I Relay: I Relay for my father. When he was battling cancer, I saw the toll that battling cancer takes and I Relay so that others can see the hope and support that we provide.

Fun Fact: I have hit a hole in one in real golf!

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First Year Recruitment Chairs:

Bailey Sanders

Year:
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Why I Relay: 
Fun Fact:

Tamir Abbasi

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Why I Relay:
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Fundraising Chairs:

Anna Cooper

Year: Fourth

Major: Marketing and Management

Why I Relay: For Aunt Caroline, my friends & their families, and for Kendall.

Fun Fact: I've been cage diving with great whites!

Logan Buckstaff

Year: Third
Major: Comm

Why I Relay: For my grandpa, my uncle, and for millions of others who have lost loved ones to cancer
Fun Fact: I lived in London before LA

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Finance and Logistics Chairs:

Laura Duke

Year: Fourth

Major: Math and Econ

Why I Relay:  I Relay to fight with and give strength to cancer patients, family members, friends, and caretakers, to honor those who lost their battle, and to support the survivors.
Fun Fact: My twin sister is the Entertainment Chair for Relay for Life at Syracuse!

Jeewoo Kim

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Why I Relay:

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Food Chairs:

Taylor Hogge

Year: Fourth

Major: Kinesiology

Why I Relay: I relay for the loved ones I've lost, all of those that have been affected by cancer, and for a cure!

Fun Fact: My closet is organized by color

Chelsea Umberger

Year: Fourth

Major: Kinesiology

Why I Relay: In honor of my Grandfather

Fun Fact: I have a freckle in my eye

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Greek Recruitment Chairs:

Sam Brinkley

Year: Third

Major: Commerce

Why I Relay: My brother Hughes

Fun Fact: I enjoy fly fishing and hiking

Noah Kiernan

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Why I Relay:

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Mission and Outreach Chairs:

Katie Carr

Year: Fourth

Major: Global Public Health

Why I Relay: I relay in memory of my mom and so that soon cancer will be a thing of the past!

Fun fact: I love corndogs more than the any person should.

Savannah Draper

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Why I Relay:

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Publicity and Social Media Chairs:

Hannah Hecht

Year: Fourth

Major: Media Studies major & Art History minor

Why I Relay: I relay for my grandma, aunt, and grandfather who have all beaten cancer due to the progress that organizations like the American Cancer Society have made. I want to honor their strength and hope that we can find a cure to have more stories of people who have won the fight to this disease.

Fun fact: When I was in Africa we got charged by a bull elephant and we had to hop in our truck and run for our lives. They are still my favorite animal though and I have upwards of thirty stuffed animal elephants that I don't plan on getting rid of anytime soon.

Rita Cliffton

Year: Fourth

Major: Global Studies and Public Policy

Why I Relay: In memory of my Gammy Joan and in honor of my Dad winning the fight.

Fun Fact: I'm on the Ski Team at UVA and race competitively

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Sponsorship Chairs:

Emily Smith

Year: Fourth

Major: Commerce

Why I Relay: I relay for my grandfather and for more birthdays!

Fun Fact: I've hiked the grand canyon!

Marisa Lombardi

Year: Third

Major: Commerce

Why I Relay: I relay for my cross country coach Mr. Hornish.

Fun Fact: I was born on New Years Eve.

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Team Recruitment Chairs:

Ciana Deveau

Year: Fourth

Major: Biology and French

Why I Relay: I relay in memory of my dad!

Fun Fact: I've been to 49 states! (Just missing North Dakota)

Casey Baker

Year: Fourth

Major: Biomedical Engineering

Why I Relay: Friends, neighbors, teachers

In Celebration of You

Imagine yourself today. Imagine where you see yourself a year in the future.

Now imagine having all of your goals, hopes and dreams compromised by something completely out of your control. Imagine hearing the words “You have cancer.”

About three years ago, my family received a call explaining that my cousin Will had experienced a seizure during his workday. Will was a young adult and had no previous medical condition that would explain this event. He was just the type of young professional I aspire to be in future years.

We eventually found out that doctors had discovered multiple malignant tumors in Will’s brain. My cousin Will was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of brain cancer that winter, altering his life and so many more in an instant.

I was always so impressed and inspired by Will. He spent six years living and working in Japan after college, proceeding to earn a JD and Masters of Law in International Law from Duke University and a subsequent Master’s of Law in Taxation from New York University. My family and I loved that he lived and worked in D.C., since all of our other extended family members maintained residence in cities further afield; Will was our special Washingtonian relative.

After his diagnosis, Will worked with some of the most advanced doctors at Johns Hopkins University and subsequently at UCLA. They did everything in their power to extend Will’s life as long as they possibly could. Will fought vigorously and without complaint, surrounded by support and prayers.

Will passed away in December of 2013, less than a year after his initial diagnosis.

I was 18 year old when Will died. I was 18 years old, and someone in my generation had passed away. It didn’t make logical sense. I couldn’t help but think that this could be me or one of my close friends in a decade or two, going through the exact same situation that Will so suddenly took on.

I Relay because after a situation in which I felt so helpless, I can have a serious impact on finding a cure for brain cancer in the future. There has been a 22% decrease in the cancer death rate in the last two decades, which translates to 1.5 million lives saved. Through Relay For Life at UVA, the American Cancer Society continuously funds new groundbreaking research that will continue to save lives.

The only thing I can think of that would be more difficult than experiencing such an abrupt and unfair loss as this is not doing anything to fix it. Although our family will always feel Will’s void, I can honor him by working towards a future without cancer. In the sea of crazy costumes and Vermonster Challenges, Concerts and 5Ks, Bar nights and Benefits, it’s easy to forget what Relay For Life if really about—making it possible for everyone to live our lives to the fullest.

I Relay in celebration of you, Will.

RelayLove,

Catherine Beall

Publicity Co-Chair