Throughout the entire year at Valdosta State University, students have seen signs posted around campus with random, but very informative facts about preventing cancer.

 Students have also witnessed the advertisement for various fundraising events hosted by a number of different organizations, in an attempt to raise money for Relay For Life.

  So, you all have probably asked yourselves, What is Relay For Life? 

 Relay For Life is an event that Gordy Klatt, a doctor who wanted to raise money for the American Cancer Society, created and started in 1986.

 He ran over 83 miles around a local track, where nearly 300 of his friends gathered to watch him. 

 During the 24 hours he ran, he raised over $27,000 in donations from his friends who had to donate $25 in order to run or walk with him for 30 minute increments. 

 One man’s passion turned into what is now the world’s largest movement to end cancer.

 According to www.RelayForlife.org , “Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 20 other countries, father to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, the American Cancer Society continues to save lives. ”

 VSU’s Relay For Life event was held on Friday, April 22 from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. on the front lawn.

 Many students frequently ask why the event lasts so long.

 The idea behind the event is that since cancer is a disease that NEVER sleeps, Relay For Life is an event that was created to fight cancer throughout the entire night.

 Over 52 teams participated and there were 921 participants that were registered online—this does not include the people that actually showed up to the event.

 The top fundraising teams online were The Dream Team, who raised $5,797.84, Student Affairs, who raised $4,913.75 and Sigma Chi and Chi Omega, who raised $4,630.01.

 The top fundraising individuals online were Rebecca Murphy ($1,720), Laura Rogers ($1,265) and Jenna Gilbert Maroney ($787.25).

  None of these figures are complete since money is still being calculated. 

 The goal for VSU’s Relay For Life this year is $40,000.00, and according to past statistics, the university is likely to go above and beyond this goal.