More than 2,500 University students will come together to join the fight against cancer at the sixth annual American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life. The event will take place at the University Track and Soccer Stadium from 7 p.m. today to 7 a.m. tomorrow.

Relay For Life began in May 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, spent 24 hours circling a track at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash., and raised $27,000 for cancer research, according to the event’s Web site.

Since then, Relay For Life has spread and raised more than $1.5 billion to benefit the American Cancer Society in cancer research, aid those affected by the disease and empower people to fight against it. The University began its own chapter of Relay For Life in 2001 sponsored by Colleges Against Cancer, a national organization related to the American Cancer Society.

The group began planning the 2007 Relay For Life almost a year ago under the leadership of Michelle Zeman, its president and a senior in LAS. Zeman said that although the planning and fundraising has taken a lot of time and effort, she feels prepared for the event thanks to the dedication of the 25-person leadership team.

This past week has been particularly stressful for the team.

“We’ve been mostly focusing on finalizing the ceremonies and making accommodations for the speakers,” Zeman said.

There were two “bank nights” this week. During this time, the leadership team not only collected money teams had raised, but also counted, sorted and deposited it in the Henry Administration Building.

Adam Schwartz, an alumni chair of Colleges Against Cancer and a graduate student, brought in a large pile of loose change Wednesday.

“This is the change I’ve collected throughout the year,” he said. “It looks like there’s around $80 or so; I’m pretty excited.”

In addition to collecting loose change, Schwartz has put donation cans in independent restaurants and stores on Green Street. He has also asked for contributions from friends and family to support his seventh year participating in Relay For Life.

“I keep going for the impact on people,” Schwartz said. “Relay For Life is a way for us to fight back as individuals. Cancer doesn’t sleep, so why should we?”

Ashley Strand, a senior in business, has a family history with the disease. When she was a senior in high school, her father passed away from cancer. Since then, her immediate family has started a letter-writing campaign asking acquaintances for donations. This year they have raised more than $10,000 for Relay For Life.

“By raising money, I hope to help save some family from going through what we did,” Strand said.

Relay For Life will begin with an opening ceremony at 7 p.m. Following the ceremony there will be various activities to entertain participants that will continue throughout the event. A luminaria ceremony will commence at 10 p.m., honoring both cancer survivors and those who have lost the fight to cancer. In light of this week’s events, participants will also honor the Virginia Tech victims. The closing ceremony will take place at sunrise.

All proceeds from Relay For Life will be given to the American Cancer Society. Although the relay concludes Saturday, people can still donate to the cause by visiting www.acsevents.org/relay/il/uofi and clicking on “donate.”