During the annual Relay For Life held Friday, hundreds of students, community members and cancer survivors walked the track of the Mini-Dome, to raise money in support of the world’s largest non-profit organization, the American Cancer Society. The Relay, which is in its sixth year, lasted from 6 p.m. until 6 a.m.

“It really means a lot to be a part of this event,” event co-chair Kati Haj-Hussein said. “I’ve had family members who have had cancer and I really love being involved with raising money and awareness about this horrible disease. Relay helps put money toward early detection and awareness.”

Haj-Hussein said that the committee began planning the even last semester.

“We’ve already raised $26,000 before the actual Relay,” Haj-Hussein said. “Our goal is $44,000 so I think it’s pretty amazing. We’re very pleased with all the work and support.”

Haj-Hussein’s co-chair, Justin Lane, said he feels like Relay is a campus-building activity.

“Relay is a chance for our campus community to come out and see a tangible goal,” Lane said. “The $5 you donate goes straight to organizations involved with ACS. A hundred percent of the money raised tonight, as well as on campus for Relay goes to amazing organizations.”

Lane said the event was one of the largest Relays the university had ever held.

“We’re hoping to see it grow and grow,” Lane said.

More than 600 students were registered to 37 teams at the event, with fundraising tents and booths offering massages, corn hole and even karaoke.

“We’ve very happy with this year’s event,” Haj-Hussein said. “There has been great participation this year.”

Lane agreed.

“The students really do come out, love the event and know it’s for a good cause,” he said. “Ninety-nine percent of the money we have already raised came from student fundraising. We had very few sponsors.”

Both event chairs believe the Relay will continue to grow and spread.

“We have teams from Milligan College and Tusculum College here,” Haj-Hussein said. “We hope that they will see what we do and take that back to their campus.”

Teams raised more than $10,000 at the event, bringing the Relay total to more than $36,000 for this year and while the Relay has already happened, Haj-Hussein said the fundraising will continue until August.

“The event has been amazing,” Haj-Hussein said. “It’s good to see so many students involved.”

For more information on the Relay, visit www.relayforlife.org.

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