It may not be unusual to find college students awake through the early morning hours. But for the nearly 3,000 participants in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Cornell, March 29, who were up until 6 a.m. in Barton Hall, it wasn't just another late night out -- their decision to stay awake past sunrise was about fighting cancer as much as having fun.

The students, who came from Cornell and Ithaca College, took turns running or jogging around the track in an effort to raise money pledged. They were there to celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who have lost the battle to the disease and support cancer research. The event was held overnight "to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps," according to the American Cancer Society's Web site.

"We're here tonight for all the cancer survivors," said Cornell President David Skorton, kicking off the event at 7 p.m. "We're here tonight for all of those struggling. We're here tonight for our family members and loved ones. We're here to raise money for education and research. And we're here tonight for hope," he said. "Tonight, we will put another light on the road in the fight against cancer. We will fight back, and we will have hope."

Skorton's wife, Robin Davisson, noted the personal connection that she and her husband share with the event. They first met, she told the crowd, while she was helping to organize a Relay for Life in Iowa. "I can't tell you how much it means to be with you tonight in Ithaca sharing this event," she said. "Whether you walk around this track once tonight, whether you run around many times, whether you sit there and cheer people on to pledge your support, just know how wonderful it is that you're contributing to the hope that we all share."

Jarod Vakhshoorzadeh '09 said that he came because "it's a good way to support cancer research and share in the ideal of community service. It also makes me feel closer to Cornell's cancer-research efforts, and I've had friends who are survivors." Vakhshoorzadeh was at the event with a team from the National Residence Hall Honorary.

"I came last year, stayed all night and had a lot of fun," said Michelle Hastings '10, who organized a team of participants from her chemistry fraternity, Alpha Chi Sigma, for the event. "This year it's a little different for me, since my boyfriend's grandmother is dying of cancer."

One of the event's main organizers, Adrien Phalen '08, explained why she had been moved to help make the relay happen. "For me, it's such a special event to raise money," she said. "It's so rare today for cancer not to affect someone, and it's so important to have a place to honor loved ones and yourself who are affected by it." Phalen served as treasurer for the event and also helped plan entertainment throughout the night, which included performances by a cappella, dance and comedy groups and a hypnotist, as well as such activities as a pie-eating contest and a balloon-shaving competition, to entertain participants between laps around the track.

This was the fourth year that the Relay for Life, a combined effort between Cornell and Ithaca College students, has been held in Ithaca. This year's relay has raised $207,423 so far.

Chris Tozzi '08 is a writer intern at the Cornell Chronicle.