Relay for Life, the biggest fundraiser in the country, helps the American Cancer Society (ACS). At 6 p.m. Saturday, teams walked around the quad in front of Houston Hall and kept going until 6 a.m. Some walked all night, while others stayed up as long as they could. At 6 a.m. there were almost 30 people still walking around the quad all to raise money and awareness for the ACS.

“Every time I participate in Relay for Life, it touches my soul,” Rita Schenkelberg said. “It doesn’t matter who is there, young or old, survivors or supporters, you can feel the love and the determination in the air as you walk the track. You know you’re not just walking a loop, every step is for a cause. Cancer affects everyone’s life and you know that even though it may not be affecting you now, it could later. Watching friends and families struggle with cancer just reinforces the fact you are walking for a cause, a cause for everyone.”

Many speakers spoke of how they survived cancer. One 10-year-old girl was a survivor. She was excited to be at the event.

“Eight years ago, my mom was diagnosed with ovarian cancer,” Trevor Capel-Jones, another participant said. “It was the most stressful time of my life and it is an awful thing to the patient and family. I also had a friend pass away 10 years ago to leukemia.”

Everyone has been touched by cancer at some point in our lives. Many of the participants put the effort it takes to walk this event because they have been touched by cancer somehow.

For more information about future events and how to support the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.