The Relay for Life event kicked off its fifteen hour walk-a-thon Saturday May 19 in it’s fourth year at the University of Oregon. Relay for Life is an overnight walk-a-thon sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research. The event has a short history on campus, yet dedicated participants have helped raise thousands of dollars, with last year’s earnings reaching $40,000. Walkers are encouraged to stay overnight and continue walking laps to symbolize that cancer never sleeps. “I relay for my two grandmas, one has bladder and breast cancer and the over is a survivor of melanoma,” says participant Allison Landrum. “I feel like there’s not a lot of people who have not been affected by cancer, so it’s something that brings us all together to relay.”

Cancer survivors are honored at the beginning of the event as they take the very first lap around the track, before being joined by the other relay participants. An emotional aspect for many people, luminaria bags are a way to remember and honor loved ones that have fought or survived cancer. They decorate them with names and pictures to display their memories and connection to the cause. In the middle of the event, participants come together to observe the lit bags and continue walking throughout the night. In the past four years, the University of Oregon has raised $184,000 for cancer research, a number only to grow in the coming years.