Relay for Life, a fundraiser for cancer research, will take place at the Campus Recreation Center tonight at 6 p.m. and continue into the wee hours of Saturday morning.

“Relay For Life is a fun-filled 12-hour overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society,” said Meggan La Giglia, lead chair of the event.

People who participate have a good reason to do so.

“My grandma died from breast cancer, so I’ve been doing Relay for Life ever since then, since middle school,” said Caleb Westadt, a sophomore electrical engineering major.

For one team organizer, the event has a special meaning.

Matt Delance, a junior communication major and organizer of Team Recruitment, lost his father to a cancerous brain tumor.

Though Delance experienced the loss, he was excited with the number of teams who signed up.

“With over 60 teams expected to turn out, this should be our biggest year yet,” Delance said.

Team members take turns walking or running around the track, while the remaining members of the team are entertained by a DJ, games, prizes and other events to keep them awake throughout the night.

“Cancer never sleeps, so we won’t either,” Delance said.