CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—On April 5, the American Cancer Society hosted its annual 24-hour “Relay for Life” event at Harvard University. Participants formed their own teams, which tried to raise $1,000 for cancer research. Throughout the night, the teams walked on the indoor track, and occasionally engaged in other activities, such as Zumba, Twister, and Frisbee. Nearly two-dozen Armenian students from five universities participated with their own team, called the “Armenian Students Organization.” The group raised a total of $1,821—nearly twice their goal—reaching the Nickel Team Fundraising Club Level, which was achieved by any team that raised $1,750 or more.
Nearly two-dozen Armenian students from five universities participated with their own team
Vatche Demirjian, a Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS) student and president/founder of the Armenian Student Organization at MCPHS, devised the idea of a relay team comprised of Armenian students from colleges in the Greater Boston area. In an interview with the Weekly, Demirjian said that participating in a good cause with other Armenians seemed like a great opportunity. “Last semester, we had several events and social gatherings with each other, and we wanted that to continue. We have had a significant increase in Armenian club participation over the past year; whereas last year there were maybe 2 or 3 official Armenian clubs in the Greater Boston area, now there are about 10,” including Tufts University, Northeastern University, and Suffolk University.
Lori Yogurtian, a freshman studying management at Suffolk and the co-president/founder of the university’s Armenian club, raised over $500—the most in the entire team. “Someone very close to me was recently diagnosed with cancer, so I was really motivated. And when I asked for donations, everyone was really supportive,” Yogurtian told the Weekly. “I’m also really involved in the Armenian club on my campus, so I thought it was a great opportunity to raise money for an amazing cause, while also getting to be with my friends and meeting more people in the Greater Boston Armenian community. I would definitely do it again,” she added.
The event began with an opening ceremony, where stories of the survivors and progress in research inspired hope, while reminding everyone that battling cancer is a year-round priority. Lights were dimmed and electric candles were distributed en masse. Cancer survivors made the silent laps around the track. They were followed by their caregivers and by anyone who had known a person who had battled the disease. Eventually, everyone joined in for a few quiet laps around the track. The night ended with the closing ceremony that remembered those who have passed from the disease, and reaffirmed the commitment to fight against cancer over the next year.