Photo by:

More than 270 student and community participants raised just over $20,000 for the American Cancer Society in DU’s fifth annual Relay for Life event on Friday.

The participating teams pitched tents on Driscoll Lawn at 7 p.m. Friday night, and the 12 hour event concluded at 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

The annual Relay for Life event is hosted by the DU chapter of Colleges Against Cancer (CAC), a nationwide organization started by the American Cancer Society to bring together students, faculty and staff in the goal of eliminating cancer. 

“Relay for Life is a celebration of the people who have fought against cancer, those who have survived, and those who have passed away,” said senior Whitney Hoover, president of the DU chapter of CAC, who started participating in Relay for Life as a high schooler in Minnesota.

The theme of this year’s event was Heroes for Hope, with participants dressing in superhero costumes to commemorate people who have helped and supported those with cancer, said Hoover.

Though the $20,000 raised was less than the event has earned in years past, DU was on par with other Colorado schools. DU’s earnings were close to those of CU Boulder, impressive because of the state school’s much larger student body, she said.

The number of participants has increased every year since the event started at DU, and this year saw the most participants staying all night. This is important because Relay for Life signifies the fact that cancer never sleeps, said Hoover. 

Though students, faculty, staff and community members participate, students have the largest turnout and are the most dedicated, she said.

Student involvement in Colleges Against Cancer and Relay for Life are important because cancer is a worldwide problem that will affect one in three people in their lifetime, said Hoover.

“It’s a cause that’s bigger than just our campus,” she said, “It’s really important to get involved with something that’s bigger than yourself.”

In addition to the relay, the event had musical performances by Denver band The Foot and the DU a cappella group Idiosyncracies. 

There was also a volleyball tournament, an obstacle course sponsored by the DU Alpine Club, a showing of The Dark Knight and in the early hours of the morning breakfast and yoga.

Sophomore Lacey Henderson and junior Kelley Hennigan spoke at the event.  Hennigan spoke at the luminaria ceremony of hope, which remembers those who have lost their lives to cancer and honor those who have won the battle. 

Every year, more than 3.5 million people participate in Relay for Life events across the country.