Ian Law was involved in Relay for Life even before he was diagnosed with cancer.
Law, who has battled HodgkinâÄôs disease for six years, wore a sash that read âÄúSurvivorâÄù as he walked Friday night in the University of MinnesotaâÄôs annual Relay for Life.
âÄúItâÄôs been tough trying to get back to normal life,âÄù Law said.
A nonprofit management major, Law said he transferred to the University because it has been helpful in tailoring to his part-time credit load and in coordinating an âÄúunconventionalâÄù college plan.
He and his wife, Adrianne, said FridayâÄôs atmosphere felt like âÄúa real community.âÄù
In RelayâÄôs eighth year running on campus, more than 2,400 participants raised about $217,000 for the American Cancer Society, a national health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer.
This yearâÄôs event, which started at 6 p.m., Friday, and ran for 12 hours, was held at Bierman athletic field, the first-ever outdoor site for the walk.
Last year, more than 2,400 participants crowded into the University Field House, stretching its capacity. Their efforts raised more than $209,000.
Halfway through this school year, Relay surpassed the $1 million mark âÄî a goal theyâÄôve been aiming to achieve for the past 7 1/2 years.
Participants in the walk formed teams. At least one member is advised to be on the track throughout the night.
Rachel Moen said her team of 50 students, the Golden Gamies, wanted to âÄúrockâÄù at least 300 laps over the course of the night.
As she walked, Moen, a psychology and sociology major, said Relay attracts âÄúan eclectic group of every kind of student on campus.âÄù
âÄúItâÄôs good, clean fun, which is sometimes hard to find on campus,âÄù she said.
Booths sprinkled the inside of the track, some selling baked goods while others, such as the silent auction tent, raised money for the event. A stage was also set up where students and bands entertained the crowd.
âÄúSome days are better than others,âÄù Law said of living with HodgkinâÄôs. âÄúDays like Relay are good days.âÄù