Clarke Central High School Multi-Classroom Leader and School Coordinator for Relay For Life Lawanna Knight stands in the Billy Henderson Stadium track on April 16. Apart from Relay For Life, Knight has also supported cancer research by donating to other cancer foundations. “I also donate to (St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital) and Breast Cancer foundations, (which) I donate for because I’ve had three of my paternal aunts who had breast cancer,” Knight said. “There are a plethora of things, (like the) American Cancer Society, you can donate to anytime you want, but you (should) find one that speaks to you or applies to you.” Photo by Maypop Wren
CCHS Multi-Classroom Leader and School Coordinator for Relay for Life Lawanna Knight discusses the Relay For Life fundraiser and how it has impacted her.
Journalism I Facilitator Lucca Fleenor: Can you tell me what Relay For Life is and its purpose?
Clarke Central High School Multi-Classroom Leader and School Coordinator for Relay For Life Lawanna Knight: The Relay For Life (organization) raises awareness for all types of cancer. It’s also going to try to raise money for research, but (it mainly aims to) make improvements and advancements to get people into remission and prolong lives, but ultimately look for the cure. It’s been going on (since 1985), but that’s what the program aims to do, and they do it by relaying. (The relay is) an event where everybody gets together, (and) that’s the beauty in it, because everybody (has) either been affected by, knows someone who’s been affected, or sadly, probably will know someone (affected) by cancer.
LF: How did you first get involved with the Relay For Life fundraiser?
LK: My starting point was fairly simple. It’s actually a restart, because I did Relay For Life when I was in high school. I participated (through) the basketball team to volunteer and subsequently, I figured out what it was about. Since then, I’ve donated money, but my restart was when my mom got cancer, and passed fairly quickly (in 2022. I was) trying to get through that, so (Relay for Life) was part of my grieving process, to honor her and to bring my siblings together. We’re not very open and emotional people, (but) if we’re doing this together, we’re all honoring my mom and my family members who’ve had cancer without (having to) say (it). We’re all here together in this pain, but together in this hope as well.
Clarke Central High School Multi-Classroom Leader and School Coordinator for Relay For Life Lawanna Knight holds a collage of photos of her mother in the CCHS Breezeway on April 22. Over time, the Relay For Life fundraiser, which raises money for the American Cancer Society and further cancer research, has changed Knight’s goals and ambitions since she began attending. “When I started out (in Relay For Life), my simple goal was to honor my mom (who passed away from lung cancer). I still do that, but it’s going beyond that, and I have to change my thoughts (that) it’s not just my mom,” Knight said. “The core is still there, but now I’m able to apply feelings in that empathy and sympathy towards other people.” Photo by Miriam Silk
LF: From your perspective, why is it so important for the Athens community to have this event?
LK: (Relay For Life) is fellowship. It’s connection. It’s bringing individual hope together, (and) the more brains and thoughts you have, the better hope. But for me, it’s just that collective being able to grieve (and) heal collectively without having to speak about it. Everyone’s there for a specific reason, and the more people, the more knowledge, the more awareness we have, the quicker we can put forth (ending cancer). The closer (any issue) hits to home, the more you want to do about it.
LF: What does the event look like for someone participating?
LK: Every team gets a little area (to) set up your tent, and then you can decide if you want to do games (to) raise money for your team while you’re there. (There’s) camaraderie (and) no negativity, it’s all positive (and) uplifting. I have random people come put their arm around me, and you don’t feel a certain way, it’s just encouraging. I think that spirit, that’s what you leave with. You walk, (but) there are different activities throughout the night, and I try to keep my team walking the whole time. But at the end of the night, the culminating event is (the) luminary walk where people have the chance to write the names of family members or friends they’ve lost, or people who survived on a bag, and illuminate (them). All the lights are cut off, and it’s complete silence. Everybody walks around, taking in the moment and honoring who we need to honor. Everybody who’s surviving, struggling (and) everybody who’s on the other side.
(Relay for life) is one of those places where the humanity of everyone comes out and everybody brings their best version of themselves there.
LF: What is the most rewarding part of Relay For Life for you?
LK: It was unexpected, but I think it’s just that connection with other people and the encouragement (that), “You can do this, you can get over this (and) we can do this together.” But, I also think there’s satisfaction in knowing you’re actively trying to do something. You’re donating money (and) your muscle strength trying to raise (funds) for this cause that so desperately needs as much money as it can get, so we can find more advancements and research to get to (a) cure. But, I think (it’s) also to honor people and think about their memories and everything they’ve done.
LF: What are you hoping for in the future of Relay For Life?
LK: I think Relay For Life is in good hands. I (not) only see it expanding here (in Athens), but nationally (as well). People know it’s not a party, but it’s (being) with other people, so we can talk, you can laugh (and) you can cry if you need to, and it’s a no judgment zone. It’s one of those places where the humanity of everyone comes out and everybody brings their best version of themselves there. I would love to see Relay For Life do other, smaller events, (like) start a student only Relay For Life, have a movie night, (or) other events that are for the American Cancer Society. Those are the type of things I’m thinking about trying to implement next year.
