Members of 82 teams helped Iowa State walk and run its way into the history books by participating in the nation’s first Finish Line event for the American Cancer Society.

The all-day event at the Lied Recreation Center aimed to raise $110,000 for cancer research, education, advocacy and service programs.

Kristin Harney, chairwoman for the event, said “Cure Cancer” was the theme of the day. The group designated the acronym “CURE” to stand for College and Community United for Research and Education, Harney said.

The university played a large role in making the event successful, she said.

“Over half of the participants in Finish Line are Iowa State students,” she said. “There has been an enormous effort on the part of the university in making this event what it is.”

Nearly 150 people provided entertainment through the day, including members of the Orchesis dance group, pep band, cheer squad and jazz choir, Harney said.

A core group of 20 committee members and more than 200 volunteers helped things run smoothly.

For the past nine years a similar event, Relay for Life, has been at Iowa State. This year, the name of the event changed to Finish Line to better suit Story County and the Ames community, said Jennifer Lane, committee coordinator.

“Relay for Life has become an overnight event,” Lane said. “We thought changing to a Finish Line event would allow for more flexibility and would be more appropriate.”

Nearly 2,000 people attended the event, Harney said.

“We encourage people to bring their families and spouses to watch, and of course everyone is encouraged to participate,” Harney said.

Raising money for the American Cancer Society is important, but the main goal of the day is to provide participants with hope, Harney said.

“Cancer is a struggle,” she said. “It can be almost defeating. When people participate in an event like this, they will feel a sense of accomplishment.”

Harney said the event makes a difference in people’s lives.

Ron Skrdla and Joe Colletti, former co-chairs of the Relay for Life event, said cancer affects everyone.

“Everybody has been touched by cancer in some way,” said Skrdla, ag specialist in the agronomy department. “We’re all fighting this together.”

Colletti, who has several sisters who have battled cancer, said Finish Line helps increase awareness about the disease.

“This represents an opportunity for the college and community to come together to generate donations to support the efforts of the American Cancer Society,” he said.

Relay for Life began in Ames in February 1993.

“The American Cancer Society came to the Ames Running Club and asked us to help organize Relay for Life,” said Colletti, associate professor of forestry. “We dedicated ourselves to the cause and began planning immediately.”

Lauren Hughes, senior in zoology, volunteered through the Student Alumni Leadership Council.

“It is fun to see families, students and community members all participating in this event,” she said.

Hughes said the rec is the perfect place to hold the event.

“The rec has plenty of room for the registration tables, team tents, performers and entertainers,” Hughes said. “It is an excellent facility for this type of gathering.”

Dave and Kathie Weber have led “Team Mike” for the past five years. The team was formed in honor of their son, Michael, who was diagnosed with leukemia in December 1997 at the age of five.

“We decided to participate in this event because we felt frustrated,” Kathie Weber said. “Raising money for research was the only thing we felt we could do to help.”

Kathie Weber said it has become her mission in life to find a cure, in case her son goes into remission.

Dave Weber said participants are not required to raise a minimum amount of money, but the goal most members aim for is $100.

“This topic touches everyone’s lives,” he said. “By calling friends for donations or doing fund raising on your own, it shouldn’t be too difficult to raise money to participate.”