The student-organized Hope College chapter of Colleges Against Cancer will sponsor its seventh annual Relay for Life event from 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 13, until 7 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Dow Center.
The Relay for Life is part of a national fund-raising initiative for the American Cancer Society. The non-competitive event invites members of the Hope College community to form teams and then walk the Dow Center's track overnight to raise funds for research, education, advocacy and service in the fight against cancer.
The relay will begin with an opening ceremony at 7 p.m. that will recognize cancer survivors who are members of the Hope community. The survivors have also been invited to participate in the first lap, followed by a reception for all survivors and their caregivers.
Hundreds of students participate in the college's Relay for Life annually, with more than 670 signed up this year. The 36 teams that have registered include a variety of student organizations, as well as groups representing residence halls, classes and others who have banded together specifically on behalf of the event.
Since the event began in 2003, it has raised a total of $222,590.70.
A committee of 27 members chaired by senior Lydia Hurd of Chanhassen, Minn., has been planning this year's relay since last spring.
The Dow Center is located at 168 E. 13th St., on 13th Street at Columbia Avenue.