Spotlight on service with Kayla Pederson of Salisbury University

This story first appeared on suseagulls.com.

For Kayla Pedersen, cancer research and awareness is an intensely personal cause – her grandmother Annie Long went through cancer treatments, as did her great-grandmother Virginia Long – and spurred her to take action long before her college years. While enrolled at Lower Dauphin High School, she participated in Mini-THON, a year-round fundraising program established by the childhood cancer care organization Four Diamonds. So it was only natural that when Pedersen enrolled at Salisbury University in the fall of 2021, she would gravitate toward Relay for Life.

“My freshman year I started helping at Relay for Life,” said Pedersen. “Right after COVID, they struggled rebuilding the organization and getting things running again on campus. Now I’m going on my fourth year as part of Relay; after my freshman year I became a co-president, and I’ve been a co-president ever since.”

Relay for Life is a key fundraising arm of the American Cancer Society, generating revenue geared toward cancer prevention, detection, research, and awareness. Hundreds of college campuses nationwide host annual Relay for Life fundraisers; Salisbury University holds its event each spring and is recognized as the largest student-run event on campus. This past April marked SU’s 23rd year hosting Relay for Life, with a community of over 500 students and more than 45 organizations rallying to raise over $40,000 for the cause; in Pedersen’s three years at the university, the grand total has exceeded $130,000.

“We’ve definitely been growing over the years,” said Pedersen. “In the springtime, we try to get as many on-campus clubs, organizations, and teams to attend as possible, and it’s always great to see everyone come out and support one another.

“The volleyball team has been supporting me every year; we hold a ‘Play for the Cause’ home game every year, and that’s always a fun time. It’s been great to see the team get involved in something I’m passionate about.”

Indeed, Sea Gull volleyball has been one of Relay’s greatest champions during Pedersen’s tenure with the team. At the 2023 event, volleyball won the first-ever “Relay Rival” games against the rest of the on-campus organizations. In 2024, the trophy stayed in the Athletics family with men’s and women’s swimming prevailing.

“We are so proud of Kayla and all the hard work she has put into organizing Relay for Life,” said…