In 2012, 13.7 million Americans were diagnosed with cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Annually, the Moscow community and University of Idaho students come together to raise money to fight cancer and celebrate survivors.
Relay For Life is an overnight community-organized walk. Teams of people stay the night at the Kibbie Dome track and take turns walking around it throughout the night.
This year’s event will start at 6 p.m. Friday in the Kibbie Dome and go until about 7 a.m. Saturday.
Not only does the event involve people walking around a track, but it also includes food, games and entertainment.
“This year we have 57 teams and that’s not including the companies that are sponsoring,” said Jolene Pflaum, Relay For Life team department chair.
Plfaum is in charge of recruiting teams from the beginning of the school year as well as encouraging them to fundraise. She also holds monthly meetings for all the teams.
“Relay For Life involves Greeks, dorm students, students who live off campus and the community,” said Caitlin Keith, Relay For Life co-chair.
Keith said Relay For Life is a joint effort. The American Cancer Society and a committee of about 20 people plan different parts of the event.
“The reason we stay
up all night and walk the track is because cancer never sleeps, so we don’t sleep for anything,” Pflaum said.
Keith and Plfaum said they were inspired to become involved with Relay For Life because they both had grandfathers with cancer.
“In a way I’m kind of fighting for my grandfather,” Keith said. “I never really knew him without cancer and I think grandchildren should be able to know their grandparents without cancer being a part of their lives.”
Pflaum said she also wants to raise awareness because cancer affects everybody.
“This is a good way to come together and remember that this part of the community exists,” Keith said.
Iris Alatorre can be reached at [email protected]