Ben Nguyen is a first-year Life Sciences major and UCLA Volunteer Center Social Media Intern. Here is his experience with Relay for Life:
Relay for Life was an amazing 24-hour experience where I bonded with my team members and the Relay for Life committee. I participated in fun activities throughout the day, and there were plenty of interesting fundraisers to participate in! From the inspirational opening ceremony with the survivors, to the touching Luminaria ceremony in memory of those who have lost the battle and in honor of those who are fighting it, to the closing ceremony with the incredible results of fundraising, the whole event filled me with hope and faith for the battle against cancer. Whether it was a friend or a family member, many people had been touched by cancer; this unfortunate disease gave us strength and we all built resilience and strong bonds with each other. For this reason, throughout the whole event, I knew exactly what I was fighting for, and I felt that sense of purpose. Relay for Life showed me that we really can make a difference if we work together towards a common cause. It just comes to show you that if you are really passionate about something, you can make a change, especially if you find others who are passionate, too.
Do you have an amazing volunteer experience to share with us? We’d love to post them on our blog! Please send a write-up of your experience and any additional photos or videos to media@volunteer.ucla.edu.
