In 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt founded Relay For Life to raise money for cancer research. With the help and donations of supporters, he raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society to help treat cancer patients and ultimately find a cure for the disease.

Twenty-six years later, Relay For Life has become a global event, raising millions of dollars and supporting millions of patients and survivors. Each year, many colleges host events to benefit Relay For Life, and the University’s Colleges Against Cancer organization held a kick-off on Jan. 25 in the Ferguson Center game room.

The event allowed students to register teams for the official Relay For Life event, which will take place in April, according to Relay For Life Chairman Andres Pena. Students could sign up to become a member of a team or a team captain. The UA Relay For Life Committee attended the event and helped students with the registration process as well as advising team captains on how to effectively lead their groups.

Having undergone treatment for cancer, Relay For Life is a very important part of Pena’s life.

“I became involved after being diagnosed with cancer my freshman year at the University. I saw Relay For Life as a great way to raise money for cancer research, advocacy, patient services, and many other things,” Pena said. He is also the president of Colleges Against Cancer.

The Relay For Life event will be held April 9 at the UA Soccer Stadium. Participants are invited to walk around the track to help support cancer patients and survivors. A ceremony honoring patients who lost the battle with cancer will also take place, according to information provided by the Relay For Life committee. In addition, there will be live entertainment, refreshments, games and activities.

Any interested student can participate in Relay For Life. Student organizations, fraternities and sororities or even friends can sign up for the event, according to the committee.

“I always enjoyed participating in Relay For Life because I think it is a great way to impact not only the University but the entire community. Everyone is affected by cancer in some way, so starting a team is a great way to help come one step closer to finding a cure,” said Allison Rohrer, a freshman majoring in secondary education.