From Friday to Saturday night, more than 2,000 students and community members will gather in the Fieldhouse Arena to remember those who lost the battle to cancer and support those still fighting.

Relay for Life is an event to raise awareness of cancer and to fight back against the disease by fundraising for a cure. This year 2,013 participants are signed up on 96 teams. So far, the teams have raised $46,671.

“We are well on our way for fundraising our goal of $125,000,” said Sara Baker, Colleges Against Cancer secretary.

CAC President Chelsea Page said they are ahead of where they were last year in fundraising and active members. This year they have double the number of active members, or members who have a dollar to their names on the Web site http://www.relayforlifegvsu.com. The participation grows every year.

Last year, Grand Valley State University’s Relay chapter was the top in the nation of college chapters, Baker said.

This year the theme of the event is Sailing Towards a Cure. There will be a Louie the Laker inflatable and a stage in the shape of a boat, Baker said. There will also be themed events such as a treasure hunt, crab crossing and navy trivia.

CAC is introducing a new event this year in the bra-decorating contest, “Treasure Your Chest,” to be held during the breast cancer awareness hour. Participants decorate a bra and enter it into the competition. Baker said she is looking forward to this event.

“I am excited to see the new event come through at Relay,” she said.

There will also be local bands performing throughout the night. Page said they have a guitarist, beat boxer and the GVSU-based a cappella group, Midnight Snack, lined up to perform.

“I am really looking forward to the excitement in the air,” Page said. “It is a certain essence fundraising creates where it is not just about the money. I want to be a part of that atmosphere.”

The atmosphere Relay creates is why many student organizations sign up to participate in the event.

“It is not only a great opportunity to encourage group dynamics, but it is also great to promote our organization to the GVSU community,” said Amber Williamson, the co-captain of the Pals Student Mentors team.

Pals is a student organization that mentors at-risk youth in the greater Grand Rapids area. Williamson said some team members are bringing the children they mentor to Relay. The team currently has 19 members signed up, and she anticipates five children will come with their mentors.

“It is a great opportunity to show the kids things they can do in the community,” she said.

The campus television station, GVTV, is also participating in the event but not just behind the scenes. This year GVTV decided to form a team as well as have members film and interview participants to broadcast on the station.

“Bringing happiness to people in the form of entertainment is what we do best,” said Christina Choriatis. “If we can help out one more person to be able to have that experience then that would be the best feeling in the world.”

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