Relay for Life participants can support a cure for cancer at this year’s third annual Ashland University Relay for Life event.

Students in addition to their family members, faculty, staff and members of the community can participate in AU’s Relay for Life.

Held in the AU Rec Center, the event will begin Saturday, March 24 with opening ceremonies kicking off at 10 a.m. Relay for Life concludes with a closing ceremony Sunday, March 25 at 4 a.m. Before the actual event, participants have been focusing on their fundraising efforts. They have collected donations from a variety of sources, including family and friends.

As of March 11, more than 100 Relay for Life participants have generated over $4000 for the cause. At that time, 18 total teams have registered to participate in the event. These teams range from sororities and fraternities to a variety of other organizations around campus.

In terms of money raised, the Exercise Science Club’s team is in the lead as of March 11. Their donations total above $1200. Meanwhile, the Triathlon Club has collected around $800 and Delta Zeta $400. As of this date, Delta Zeta has 29 members signed up to participate, which is the most out of any organization on campus.

Interested individuals have several options for participating in the event. To make a donation, they can visit AU’s Relay for Life web page at www.relayforlife.org/ashlandu. At this website, they can select a specific team or person that their money will go towards or they can donate to the general AU Relay for Life cause. Individuals also have the choice of donating money for a luminaria, which serves as a symbol in honor or in memory of a person with cancer.

In addition to contributing money, participants could join a team or create their own team on the website www.relayforlife.org/ashlandu. While registering, they have the opportunity of donating money at that time as well as setting their goal for fundraising. As an added incentive, participants who raise over $100 will receive a t-shirt for their efforts.

Those interested can find the complete listing of teams and the captains of the teams on this website.

In terms of total donations, AU raised around $20,000 last year and expects to generate even more money at the 2012 event.

“This year we are already ahead of where we were this point last year and hope to exceed the $20,000 mark,” AU Relay for Life Co-Chair Jessica Dunkle said.

During Relay for Life, numerous activities are planned throughout the night. These include hosting sporting events, providing food to the survivors, and possibly a midnight dance party.

Overall, the event serves as a way to promote a cure for cancer as well as provide participants with the opportunity to show their support to those with cancer.

“Everyone seems to know someone that has been affected by cancer,” Dunkle said. “This is a great way to raise awareness and be involved in something amazing that could impact our future.”