Staff Writer
Amanda Nasso

What do you get when you combine a Sunday afternoon, an NFL Pro-Bowler and a group of adoring fans? Answer: the Relay for Life kick-off held in the Campus Center on Sunday, Jan. 14 with Buffalo Bills punter Brian Moorman.

Starting at 1 p.m., Fisher students were able to begin registering for Fisher's 5th annual Relay for Life Event that will take place on March 24 and 25.

The Relay is an overnight event that celebrates cancer survivors and raises money to help the American Cancer Society.

During the event, teams of Fisher students will take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times. The event features bands and other surprises to keep the teams going.

This year's Relay for Life will be held in the Student Life Center, like it has been in past years. About 300 Fisher students participated in last year's Relay event, but the members of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) are hoping to reach a goal of over 500 students this year.

To get students excited for Relay, CAC chose a sports theme for Fisher's Relay for Life this year, with the hope that the punter from the Buffalo Bills might be available to come and assist with the event. Kelly Rickard, who is chair of this year's Relay for Life, met Moorman while both were volunteering for the Roswell Park Cancer Institute and Carly's Club in Buffalo. 

"(Moorman) is a really great guy who always helps out in anyway he possibly can," Rickard said. "When CAC thought of the sports theme, I just thought Brian would definitely be willing to come to this. We've been e-mailing back and forth and he agreed to come out and support us, so we're all super excited about him being here."

Moorman is actively involved with the treatment of cancer patients. This year his Punt Foundation purchased a box at Ralph Wilson Stadium to donate to the children battling pediatric cancer. Many of these children are not able to sit out in the cold weather or amongst the general public because their immune systems are compromised due their illness or the treatments they are undergoing. Moorman typically spends Tuesdays, his day off from work, at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute.

Fisher students eagerly awaited Moorman's arrival on campus, and after a brief introduction, from freshman, and cancer survivor, Brandan Robinson, Moorman was on hand to sign autographs and take pictures with his fans. 

"Fisher is great, and it's nice to see the closeness of the campus with everybody getting involved in a cause like this,"

Moorman said. "There are very few people in the world who have not been touched by cancer in someway or another.

Relay is a great way to honor all those who have been affected by the disease, and it is a cause that is very dear to my heart."

The kick-off raised nearly $900 for the Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society, and produced over 60 new registrants.