Cancer is a serious disease that creates a feeling of sorrow to all impacted. Though the issue may appear as a solemn cloud of gray, bringing awareness to the topic can come in splashes of vibrant color. For those who went to the Cancer Awareness Rally and Color Run on Oct. 27, this was exactly what they received.

Moses Richardson, a senior, was involved in planning the event, along with others in Associated Senior Body senior class. Though the run was originally going to be a breast cancer run, along with pink powder, they decided it would be better idea to have a variety of colors and change the overall theme.

“Even though the focus of October is breast cancer we wanted to support awareness for all cancers and just do the run for a good cause.”

In order to see how many people would come to the run, ASB decided to hold a rally before the event. There, students were able seriously to honor cancer survivors and pay respects to those who’ve died from the disease with a moment of silence. They were also able to play games and watch a performance from Dem Bague Boyz.

“The people who planned the assembly did a wonderful job at making games and being fun while capturing the seriousness of the topic,” Richardson said.

The event, to him, was a success. Because they sold powder packs for a dollar and had a donation jar, ASB raised over $100. Richardson was also surprised by the sheer amount of students who showed up as well as the positive atmosphere around them.

“There were no outbreaks of fights, just students who wanted to come to the event to have fun,” he said. “I was told that they’d love to have a run happen again soon.”

Adrian Flores, a sophomore, was one among many who participated in the event. He decided to run the mile to support the cause as well as honor his uncle who was diagnosed with cancer when Flores was little. The reason that running meant so much to him was because it wanted to raise awareness of all cancers and have students be involved as well.

“Most of the time you don’t really see others supporting against cancer,” Flores said. “I mean there’s a month for breast cancer but what about other (types)?”

While Flores enjoyed the event, he started to think about a deeper meaning behind it while he ran. Though he was happy, he started to look at what was happening from another perspective.

“I imagine all the people who are in pain because of cancer and they’re fighting against it then imagine the powder being thrown at you and maybe you don’t like that so you fight back,” Flores said. “You have to run around so many times while powder is thrown at you but then it’s done and you can say you’ve conquered it.”

In the end, the event brought nothing but joy to Flores. As he ran around the soccer field, packets of bright colors being thrown at him, there were only positive thoughts. The Color Run succeeded at combining a good cause and fun for all students.

“All you saw were big smiles and everyone enjoying themselves.”