[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/relayforlife.jpg” caption=”One of the luminaries – a candlelit paper bag with a memorial message for cancer patients. Photo credit: Rachel Wortzman”]Just over a week ago, on Friday, March 24, more than 350 McMaster students spent the night together at the Ivor Wynne Centre as part of the Canadian Cancer Society Relay for Life to raise funds for cancer research.

Relay for Life is a twelve-hour, non-competitive relay where each team of ten participants takes turns walking or running around the track in an event to raise funds and awareness for the fight against cancer. The overnight event drew students from many different faculties, clubs and residences. Between laps on the track, students played games, watched movies and enjoyed live music.

The night began with a survivors' victory lap where cancer survivors were invited to take the first lap around the track to recognize their courage in facing cancer. Many of these survivors in attendance were members of the McMaster community. In another ceremony, luminaries were lit around the entire track. Luminaries were paper bags that students and supporters purchased to write messages honouring friends and family either lost to cancer or currently fighting the disease. These candlelit bags lit up the track the entire night as a reminder of how many lives are affected by cancer here in our McMaster community.

McMaster's first Relay for Life involved 39 relay teams, and raised over $53,000 for cancer research. A group of 20 students spent the year organizing the event and they hope that it will become a Mac tradition that will continue to grow in years to come. Over 40 volunteers gave their time to help the night's events run smoothly. Donations from various businesses in the area included food and silent auction prizes.