JMU Relay For Life Nationally Recognized by the American Cancer Society
News
James Madison University (JMU) has participated in Relay For Life events since 2017. Since then, JMU has reached milestone accomplishments worthy of celebrating. JMU has two teams, Relay Executive Board and Sigma Alpha Epsilon, in the top ten for Campus Relay Fundraising. The Relay Executive Board raised $34,729 and placed #7 in the country, and Sigma Alpha Epsilon raised $32,551 and placed #8. The Relay For Life of JMU event placed #7 overall for campus events across the nation and raised a total of $131,179.
Additionally, Sigma Alpha Epsilon won the 2025 Campus Team of the Year award. This award recognizes a campus team that embodies the Spirit of Relay through heartfelt fundraising efforts, deep mission integration and student-led leadership. In 2025, Sigma Alpha Epsilon raised $35,284, which was an increase of more than $7,000 from the previous year. They also had an impressive 106 registered members in Relay For Life. This fraternity has raised nearly $300,000 in the past 10 years for the American Cancer Society (ACS) and has been a longstanding supporter of JMU Relay For Life.
Whitney Minnick from the American Cancer Society says, “The Relay For Life of JMU and Sigma Alpha Epsilon have been recognized in many ways over the last decade for their dedicated support of the American Cancer Society's mission to end cancer as we know it, for everyone. The commitment and passion these students have shown over the years to helping those impacted by cancer is inspiring. Many students involved have family members or friends who have been affected by cancer. This personal connection makes fundraising to provide hope even more meaningful. Beyond the fundraising, Relay For Life is a community of support that allows students at JMU to make meaningful connections while working together to make a difference.”
When asked about JMU’s contributions over the years for Relay for Life, Minnick says, “Over the last 10 years, the Relay For Life of JMU has raised over $1.5 Million Dollars! The amount of people that could receive a free ride to treatment or free cancer information via the American Cancer Society Helpline thanks to their hard work is priceless!”
This year’s JMU Relay for Life event is on Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m. The event will take place on JMU’s campus at Hillside Field. To donate, view the participating teams, and learn more about this year’s Relay For Life event, visit the Relay For Life of JMU website. To support the fight against cancer, consider donating to JMU Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society today. Every contribution brings us one step closer to a cure.
Read the ACS article to learn more about JMU’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon and their contributions to the ACS. JMU is proud to partner with ACS each year to provide fundraising support for Relay for Life.
