Hoyas and Orangemen Slam Dunk Cancer

To celebrate the end of one of the biggest, most storied rivalries in NCAA Men’s Basketball history, students at Georgetown University and Syracuse University are tipping off against a common opponent - cancer.

For three years, the Hoyas and Orangemen student bodies have competed to see who can raise the most money to fight cancer. Georgetown and Syracuse both host American Cancer Society Relay For Life events.

Last year, the Relay For Life of Georgetown raised $178,000, beating out the Relay For Life of Syracuse University which raised $143,000. Their basketball teams met on February 8, 2012 at the Carrier Dome, with the Orangemen beating the Hoyas in overtime, 64-61.

The Relay fundraising challenge comes to an end when the Orangemen host the Hoyas on Feb. 23 in Syracuse. Next season, Syracuse University will leave the Big East Conference for the Atlantic Coast Conference, leading to the end of the rivalry with Georgetown University. The final tip off between the Hoyas and Orangemen will occur in March.

Anyone interested in helping Georgetown best Syracuse - while simultaneously keeping cancer benched on the sidelines - can visit www.relaygw.org.

"This is the third year of our fundraising challenge against Syracuse, and a huge one because this will be the LAST time we face them in the Big East," said Georgetown student Emily Moffat, senior neurobiology major. Senior Molly Paris, who's majoring in international politics, said, "The Georgetown vs. Syracuse rivalry is stronger than ever, and we want to beat them both on the court and in fundraising!" And sophomore Dan Silkman, who's majoring in government, said, "We respect the work that Syracuse puts into Relay, and we are excited to compete against them once again, hopefully bettering both of our events."

Moffat, Paris and Silkman are all chairs of the Relay For Life of Georgetown University.

Relay For Life of Syracuse co-chair, senior Katie Bresnahan, a public relations major, said, "The Georgetown/SU Relay challenge has been a staple in our Relay season for years. It’s fun to have a competition going between our two schools, which each have strong Relay and sports traditions."

The challenge launched in early February will run until the big game on February 23.

And the prize?

"Bragging rights, which is more than enough with a rivalry like ours!" says Bresnahan.

But the real prize? A world with less cancer and more birthdays.

All proceeds raised from Relay For Life Mother of the Year DC will benefit the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission that has led to a 20 percent decline in cancer mortality since 1991, cancer research funding 46 Nobel laureates, and nearly 400 more birthdays celebrated every day. The American Cancer Society helped start the fight against cancer in 1913. We’re educating our youth on how to prevent cancer. We’re funding cancer research. And we’re fighting for patient rights. Through efforts like Relay For Life, the Society is hoping to finally, once and for all finish the fight.

In more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries, Relay For Life events comprise the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Each Relay For Life event is special to its community, but the movement’s true power lies in the combined commitment of thousands of participants, volunteers, and supporters to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer. Every year, the Relay For Life movement raises more than $400 million.

Photo Caption:  Relay For Life of Georgetown University co-chairs (left to right): Molly Paris, Dan Silkman and Emily Moffat.