The American Cancer Society and the University of Alabama hosted Relay for Life on Saturday at the University soccer fields. The organizers and participants succeeded in raising more than $32,000 out of their $45,000 goal for cancer research in just the three weeks leading up to and including the event.

The overnight event began at 6 p.m. and ran through the night, attracting more than 100 participants. Many of the teams in attendance were made up of student organizations on campus.

Delta Zeta sorority and Gamma Phi Beta sorority, combined, donated half of the funds raised by all participants in the event. Delta Zeta raised $8,425 for the event, and Gamma Phi Beta raised $7,760 in the weeks leading up to the event.

Taylor Hermann, a freshman majoring in history, attended the event as a spectator.

“I found out from one of my friends that the event was going on today and decided that I should come out to show my support.” Hermann said. “I regret not walking in the event, but I did find out in a last-minute fashion, and there’s still always next year.”

Relay for Life began in the mid-1980s. Dr. Gordy Klatt, a resident of Tacoma, Wa., wanted to help raise funds for his local American Cancer Society office and show support for patients of his who have fought against cancer in the past. He decided to personally raise money through running marathons, a favorite pastime of his, that would be donated to the American Cancer Society to fund cancer research.

On one such occasion, Klatt succeeded in raising over $27,000 in a single night. The first organized Relay event took place in 1986, raising $33,000 and setting the tone for thousands of Relay events that have occurred since.