Dozens of NIU athletes and community members gathered outside Huskie Stadium on Thursday afternoon to participate in the first PAWS Cancer Walk to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

PAWS, Providing Athletes With Support, raised more than $8,000 at the event, said Judy Andres, a Student Athlete Support Services secretary.

Students collected money from friends and relatives for six months leading up to the walk.

“This is what they wanted to do all year,” Andres said.

Although the event wasn’t her first fundraiser, Andres said the walk hit closer to home after a friend and co-worker recently passed away from cancer.

“This one has a more personal meaning to me,” said Andres, who called her friend a “great Huskies supporter.”

A check for the total amount raised was presented to the American Cancer Society during halftime of the Spring Football Game.

Although the event was organized by student athletes, the walk was open to everyone in the community.

“It’s an excellent cause,” said Moira Stuart, a sports psychology professor, as she prepared for the two-mile walk around DeKalb.

Stuart said the event was a good way for the athletics department to help the community.

More than 100 participants were expected to walk in the event, PAWS member Meghan Cronin said.

Cronin said aside from the walk, the organization has participated in many other events in the past year, including Christmas caroling and aiding terminally ill children during Red Ribbon Week.

The PAWS Cancer Walk is the second American Cancer Society event to be held this year at NIU, following Relay For Life, which was held earlier this month.