Nothing could stop Kristine Burdi from walking for Relay for Life.

The event, which took place Friday night at the Student Recreation Center, is the second time it was held at NIU.

Burdi, a junior theater arts major, walked for her grandmother and other cancer victims.

“I got involved with Relay for Life when I was 10 years old,” Burdi said. “My grandmother is a cancer survivor and she worked on the committee on her relay for years. I grew to love the relay event, and was honored to chair the event this year because my life has been touched by cancer in so many ways.”

Following a walk-a-thon, teams that consisted of 10 to 12 people spent the night in tents on the track at the Rec, taking turns walking throughout the night until 6 a.m..

Amy Garrison, president of Colleges Against Cancer, also has personal reasons for organizing the event.

Garrison, who founded the Colleges Against Cancer at NIU last year, recently lost a friend to cancer.

“It made me realize cancer can be very scary,” Garrison said. “I wanted to help improve the survival incidence rates and improve research.”

Colleges Against Cancer sponsored the event in order to honor those who have died or survived cancer.

“Relay for Life works directly with the American Cancer Society, and I think that it is really important to help fund the research and bring support to survivors,” Kristin Jones, a junior OMIS logistics major said. “I am here more for personal reasons; my grandfather passed away from cancer and I am here to walk in his name.”

The money raised by Relay for Life will go to the American Cancer Society, an organization that has helped fight cancer through their research programs.

Susan Dooley ,a freshmen Liberal Arts and Sciences undecided major, thought the walk is important to honor those who have died from cancer, and those who survived cancer.

“It is important to support people’s past and future of survivors and those who have died,” Dooley said. “Personally, I am here in memory of my grandfather and other family members who have been struck by cancer. It’s the noble thing to do.”

A luminaria ceremony also took place in remembrance of those who lost their lives to cancer.

Debbie Von Oehsen, a senior elementary education major, is glad she got involved with the event.

“I got involved with Relay for Life because I have had a lot of people in my life touched by cancer,” Oehsen said. “I think it is a great way to raise money for cancer research and help other people with cancer.”

Burdi agreed.

“This event helps because it is the American Cancer Society’s primary resource for money to support cancer research,” Burdi said. “By supporting cancer research, we will eventually be able to find a cure.”