I continue to be amazed at how much good this university does for charities each year. So often older generations look down upon our generation and label us lazy, but the amount of time and energy put into events such as Relay for Life and Terp Thon each year is incredible. However, I have seen a trend among some students at Relay for Life over the past few years that is disrespectful and disgusting.

For those who don’t know, Relay for Life is an organization that raises money for cancer treatment and research. Relay has been pretty close to my heart since middle school. In those days, I would look forward to going to the event and just playing around with friends. While my strong emotions toward Relay remain the same, the outlook I take on the event has changed quite a bit.

As a young teenager, it was hard for me to wrap my brain around how one disease could affect everyone, whether directly or indirectly. I looked at the event as purely social – only walking around the track because my friends were. Now a few years older and a bit more knowledgeable, I view this event as a way for people to come together for one common cause – finding a cure for cancer. I don’t view it merely as a social event, but rather a way to help those fighting and honor those who fought hard but eventually succumbed to the disease.

Since moving away from home, this event has remained very important to me. Coming from a family currently battling cancer, I appreciate what Relay is attempting to do. I don’t view the event as just finding a cure for strangers, but rather as an event to find a cure for my parents and other loved ones. I now go to Relay with a somber reverence for those who have passed away due to cancer, but also with hope that the cure is close.

However, I have seen things at Relay at this university that I did not encounter, or notice, at the Relay for Life back home. Some people see the event as just something to do on a Saturday night. A typical college Saturday night involves drinking in excess at parties, bars, apartments or wherever the opportunity presents itself. With this in mind, some students think it is only natural to pre-game before the event, sometimes getting to the point where they can’t even stand up. Others take it one step further, filling water bottles with liquor to enjoy while stumbling around the track. While such actions are fine to do elsewhere on a Saturday night, they shouldn’t be a part of Relay for Life.

Last year, I was disgusted when I saw some drunk students falling over each other while other sober students cried as they signed loved ones’ names on the Relay sign. How does someone – even a college student – think drinking at an event like this is acceptable? If those students want to look like complete assholes, that’s on them, but don’t bring it to an event like Relay. Not only is it uncalled for – it’s sickening to watch students stumble around a track while others are walking to raise money for a deadly disease that kills thousands every year.

I’m all for drinking, and I’m all for having a good time, but there is a time and place for it. Those who want to drink, go for it, but don’t come to Relay. Believe me – no one will miss the stumbling, inconsiderate drunks.

Josh Birch is a senior communication and history major. He can be reached at birch@umdbk.com.