Rain or shine, walkers will continue to raise money for cancer research Saturday during the second “A Campus Journey” fundraiser.

The first 40 people who sign up at 9 a.m. Saturday at the King Memorial Commons will be weighted down with backpacks by members of A Campus Journey’s Alpha chapter, a Student Association-recognized group.

Money raised will go toward the A Campus Journey fund, 80 percent of which is donated to cancer research centers at five unconfirmed universities across the nation. The rest will go into scholarships and administrative fees, like producing T-shirts.

Senior art major Carole Jo Utech, the Alpha chapter director, formed A Campus Journey last summer and plans to walk the entire Appalachian Trail starting Feb. 2, 2002. Those interested can register to walk with Utech during portions of the 2,167-mile trail that spans from Georgia to Maine.

Mike Corelli, ACJ co-director for Greek affairs and residence halls, said signs have been posted around Greek Row advertising the event.

“I have a feeling we’re going to get a lot more walk-ons this time,” Corelli said. “I’m really hoping for a good 20 to 30 people or more.”

Sadiya Khan, ACJ vice chairwoman, said the weather will give people an idea of what it’s like to hike the real trail. Utech agreed.

“It’s supposed to rain, and people have asked if it’s still going on,” Utech said. “I just look at them and say, ‘Do you know how many days I’m going to be walking in the rain?'”

Each of Saturday’s participants will receive a backpack filled to one-third their body weight. The organization requires $20 to enter, and participants can turn in their sponsorship money into the NIU Outing Centre up to a week afterward.

The walker with the most money donated after April 14 will receive a free trip with the Outing Centre to Vermont, Wyoming, Minnesota or Utah.

First prize for the person who walks the longest is $100. Second and third prizes are gift certificates to local restaurants or stores. Walking continues until 10 p.m.

“We’ll have an elimination round for the remaining people,” Utech said.

At last month’s fundraising walk, three of the 22 walkers lasted 12 hours, and the walkers decided to give the $100 back to A Campus Journey.