Relay for Life participants will flood Drake Stadium for 24 hours this weekend with fundraising efforts, games and entertainment in support of the American Cancer Society.
The event raises funds to promote patient services and cancer research by the American Cancer Society. Participants are encouraged to sign up online on the Relay for Life website and can join a team or attend individually.
The 24-hour event hopes to create an environment that will educate participants about cancer prevention while they fundraise for an important cause, said Stefani Lombardo, the production event chair for Relay for Life.
This will be UCLA’s 11th annual Relay for Life, with approximately 1,100 volunteers and 122 teams signed up. Relay for Life is an open and free event, and people can stop by anytime on Saturday and Sunday.
With the slogan “Cancer never sleeps so why should we?” the event has several events and games planned throughout the night, including performances by UCLA student groups, a movie screening of “Frozen,” a silent rave and a carnival, among others.
The theme this year is Seasons of Hope. The track at Drake Stadium will be split into four different sections representing different seasons. UCLA student groups and other teams can fundraise by selling food and services during the event.
“A lot of different aspects of UCLA life and culture goes to Relay for Life every year,” Lombardo said.
Relay for Life fundraised a net total of $152,000 last year, and has set a goal of $155,000 this year. The total amount fundraised has increased every year since Relay for Life began at UCLA.