Exercise will not be the motivation of the people in Lied Recreation Athletic Center on Friday night. The people there will be walking to raise money for Relay for Life.

The campus organization Colleges Against Cancer is the college affiliate of the American Cancer Society and is holding Relay for Life from 7 p.m. March 28 to 7 a.m. March 29 at the Lied Center. The money raised will go to the American Association for Cancer Research for advocacy and research.

Laura Johnson, junior in psychology, member of the group’s publicity committee and participant in the event, said the group has almost reached its goal of having 150 teams of eight to 15 people, which would result in about 1,500 participants and meet the fundraising goal of $120,000.

“Our event is 12 hours of walking at Lied,” Johnson said. “We do it overnight because cancer never sleeps.”

The event is in its third year at Iowa State. Johnson said its purpose is to raise money and show support for the survivors and victims of cancer.

“You celebrate those who are still with us, remember those who have passed from cancer and fight back by raising money for research, advocacy and awareness,” Johnson said.

Participants can register as individuals and raise their own money or show up the night of the event to donate, raise money and support walkers.

“We try to have one person from the team on the track at all times,” Johnson said.

Relay for Life begins with opening ceremonies, followed by the survivors’ lap and the luminary ceremonies later on. Luminaries are available for purchase in memory of an individual. The white luminaries encircle the outline of the track with lights glowing behind them while the names of survivors and those who have fallen to cancer are read aloud.

“It’s the more emotional part of the night,” Johnson said.

Entertainment during the event keeps the walkers energized.

Johnson said they hope to keep expanding the campus and community involvement in Relay for Life.