Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back

Walkers with a purpose took over the Lavin-Bernick Center Quad on Saturday (April 9) for the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life event, a national observance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease. Teams of volunteers took turns walking or running to keep the event going for up to 24 hours.

Wearing her Relay for Life T-shirt that proclaims “celebrate, remember, fight back,” Tulane student Jamie Berkowitz introduces her father, Michael Berkowitz, in purple, who shares his experience as a cancer survivor.

Val Roshell, whose son suffers from lymphoma, talks about the struggles and hopes of being a caregiver.

Tulane President Scott Cowen, wearing his Relay for Life ball cap, and Joe King, acting chancellor and provost of the University of New Orleans, share ribbon-cutting duties to kick off the celebration.

Showing their unified spirit, cheerleaders and mascots from Tulane and Loyola universities and the University of New Orleans lead off the first lap of the evening's event.

Taking a moment to revel, New Orleans-style, Tulane student Jamie Berkowitz, right, second-lines with her parents, Michael and Mimi Berkowitz.

Photo opportunities add to the festive atmosphere on the LBC Quad at Relay for Life.

Their event a success, committee members who organized the Relay for Life event at Tulane take a moment to celebrate. They are, from left, Michael Ross, Amber McKenna and Erin Valley with Tulane's Riptide and Loyola's Havoc the Wolf.