NIU Relay For Life has a new home for 2008.

The event made a move this year from the Campus Recreation Center to the Convocation Center.

Lynn Mielke, publicity chair for the Relay For Life Committee, said the event needed a bigger venue after last year, when more than 700 participants showed up for the event.

Relay For Life will kickoff at 6 p.m. Friday, April 11, and run until 6 a.m. Saturday, April 12.

Willing participants are still able to sign up at www.niurelay.org. Mielke said the Web site will prompt visitors to the sign-up right away.

Last year’s event, according to Mielke, raised more than $55,000 for the American Cancer Society, which is the fundraiser’s main sponsor. According to www.niurelay.org, there are 92 teams signed up and more than $35,000 raised for 2008. Mielke said they would like to reach the same numbers as last year.

Relay For Life Committee president Blake Horras said some of the groups for 2008 include a group from Founder’s Memorial Library and a group from Sigma Lambda Sigma, along with faculty teams, residence hall teams and other fraternities and sororities.

“Everyone is involved on campus,” Mielke said. “It’s really amazing.”

Mielke added that there would be a variety of events at the Convocation Center to help keep people awake. She said there would be two bands performing and root beer pong. She also added that everyone is welcome to come watch, free of charge, for as long as they want.