On March 24, Colleges Against Cancer will hold the next SMSU Relay for Life in the RA facility. According to the American Cancer Society, the money raised through events like this is used to fund research, patient support programs, and detection and treatment programs.

“Our Relay for Life is different from normal Relays for Life,” SMSU Colleges Against Cancer President Madison Hayes said. “Usually they’re outdoors in the summer and they’re a 24-hour event.”

At SMSU, the events last 10 to 12 hours. Clubs set up camp sites where they can help raise funds that will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

“This year we’re reaching out to the community a lot more,” Hayes said.

Hayes describes this Relay for Life as a feeder event to the larger one held in the summer. Their hopes are to have a better connection between the two events and make this one bigger than it has been in the past.

“All clubs and all people are welcome,” Hayes said. “You don’t even have to be a part of a club to join.”

People can join any team or create their own with family or friends. The American Cancer Society’s website explains that members from each team take turns walking around a track. Events last from six to 24 hours and teams are asked to have a member on the track at all times, showing that cancer doesn’t sleep. Participants can sign up at relayforlife.org.