This Saturday marks the start of Relay for Life at Stetson. On March 24 at 5 p.m., more than 200 participants will meet at Rinker Field to walk and raise money for the American Cancer Society until 5 a.m. the following morning.

Stetson University’s Relay for Life organization branch, “Stetson Hatters for a Cure,” hopes to collect $15,000 by the end of the 12-hour event. Over $7,000 has been raised so far by 24 teams comprised of Stetson students, faculty and staff.

With new cancer diagnoses predicted at 1,735,350 by the end of 2018, according to the American Cancer Society Journal, the organization will use the money raised for cancer research, patent support services, prevention and education, and detection and treatment programs.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s largest fundraising event. As a cancer walk, participating teams must have at least one member circling the track at all times, signifying that cancer never sleeps.

The event will feature food and games in each team’s campsite, where donations will be collected and music performances will be held. Significantly, it will also hold the Luminaria Ceremony, one of simultaneous remembrances for those lost to cancer, along with hope for its cure.

“Cancer patients don’t stop because they’re tired,” the American Cancer Society site writes. “For one night, neither do we.”

-Veronica Faison