It’s 3 a.m. on a Saturday. Instead of sleeping or hanging out, more than 800 students are walking laps in the Kiewit Fitness Center. Each lap raises awareness and money for the fight against cancer.

The 2010 Relay for Life walk at Creighton will be March 26-27. Although it’s next week, students can still sign up to participate. The event focuses on raising awareness in the community, but for the participants, the experience reminds many of the effect cancer has had in their lives.

More than 820 students have signed up for the walk. Laura Green, Arts & Sciences sophomore who is on the public relations committee for Relay this year, said the event is a testament to the hard work of many.

“So many people have been working extremely hard since our first meeting in September,” Green said, referring to the more than 65 committee members who work to make the relay possible. “Many students get involved because they are personally affected.”

She said a lot of people participate because they’ve had family members or close friends who have been affected by cancer. But she is also happy to report that there is still a group of students who haven’t personally met anyone but are willing to fight for the cause.

The objective of Relay is to get more involvement in the event and to raise more money each year for the American Cancer Society. Students register on various teams which then raise money. The event runs for 12 hours, and each team is required to have at least one member on the track at all times.

Each year Creighton tries to improve its Relay event, and this year is no different. As part of the activities, the Relay team has added a dance contest among the teams.

“Our main goal to is bring people together as a community to share in the celebration of the battles won and to be with each other, as well as to remember those whose lives have been taken from cancer,” Green explained.

Heidi Holmes, Arts & Sciences junior and president of Colleges Against Cancer and co-chair of Relay, said she expects a great experience. The theme this year is centered on imagining a world with more birthdays.

“This year is going to be very special because the entire event is going to be one giant birthday party, which means the entire night will be full of energy and fun activities,”

Holmes said.

Meeae Tillwick, Business sophomore, has been involved with Relay for Life since high school and is a team leader for Pi Beta Phi. She said it is an experience that every student should have.

“I have always been passionate about what it accomplishes and the hope it creates for people affected by cancer,” Tillwick said. “The American Cancer Society is doing so much to research cancer, educate others about prevention and detection and offer help to those that are diagnosed.”

The event is on a Friday night, but many think it is worth taking the time for the event.

“One can physically see that with each lap taken, we are growing stronger and closer to getting well, staying well, fighting back and finding cures,” Green said.

Relay for Life is planned through the Colleges Against Cancer organization on campus. While many take part in the planning of Relay, Green said it is open to anyone who wants to be involved.

Students can still register for a team by visiting www.relayforlife.org/creightonune or contacting [email protected].