Taylor Paulson relays for her father, who passed away from kidney cancer when she was just 15, and for her friend James, who has testicular cancer. 

Paulson, junior in marketing, was one of 1,200 participants at the 16th annual Relay for Life this weekend at Lied Recreation Center, walking for 12 hours for cancer survivors and those lost to cancer.

“This is my first Relay, but I’m really happy I came,” Paulson said. 

Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society to support cancer research and support for survivors or those currently struggling with cancer.

The ISU Relay for Life is paired with Colleges Against Cancer, a national organization that works with universities to help implement programs of the National Cancer Society.

The relay raised about $74,000 and with more than 119 teams and 1,200 participants, Relay for Life continues to see growth on campus.

Relay for Life has a sort of a misleading name, implying the event is a race.

“The whole idea of Relay is to have one person from your team walking around the track at all times,” said Jordan Schill, vice president of Relay for Life.

Although teams are encouraged to do so, having someone walking at all times is not required, Schill said.

The event started with an opening ceremony and cancer survivors were invited to take the first lap.

The second lap is open for any caregivers of current cancer strugglers or cancer survivors.

The third and remaining laps throughout the night are open to the teams.

To break up the monotonous circular trips, there were many events throughout the night to keep Relay participants busy.

Cy made an appearance as well as the cheer squad, some football players and different groups like Dub H, the Line Dancing Club, the ISU Juggling and Unicycling Club and a group drumline, as well as a hypnotist, said entertainment co-chair Erin Richardson. 

Other events throughout the night included a relay race, talent show, musical chairs, limbo and Zumba.

Relay participants could enter a raffle throughout the night for a chance to win a basketball signed by Fred Hoiberg and the rest of the basketball team.

To add to the fun, costumes were encouraged throughout the night.

With four theme hours, participants could deck out in: the color of cancer they are fighting or supporting more research for, American-themed clothes, their favorite Cyclone gear and more. 

Vendors attended the event to support the fight against cancer, including Love Your Melon — a non-profit college student-run organization that aims to put hats on every child battling cancer in America. Target, the Triathlon Club and Be The Match, an organization that encourages students to sign up to be a donor, also attended.

Participating students didn’t find raising money for Relay for Life to be a challenge.

“It was difficult at first but Relay for Life made it really easy. The website really gave the proper tools,” said Hunter Herold, junior in pre-business.

The Luminaria Ceremony took place at 10 p.m., a special time of the night for many Relay participants.

The Luminaria Ceremony is a time to honor those who have lost the fight against cancer.

Lighted bags line the track and participants take their laps in silence to honor those who are no longer with us.

The ceremony can often be an emotional part of the event for participants and tears are often shed.

Students participate in Relay for Life for a variety of reasons.

“We knew our time and effort was going to a really great cause and it felt good to be doing something bigger than ourselves and we wanted to take it one step further and make Relay for Life and the awareness of the American Cancer Society as big as we could on campus,” said co-president Briana Brunsvold.

Co-president Kelsey McCarty, senior in food science, said she ran for president because she loves what the group stands for.

“I’m really, really passionate about the American Cancer Society and Colleges Against Cancer,” McCarty said. “I decided to run because I love this club a lot. I love what it does.”