The Mayer Campus Center was unusually full at 8:30 last night as approximately 60 people turned out for the Tufts' Relay for Life kickoff event.
Students registered for the relay online on laptops set up on campus center tables, while others enjoyed free pizza and drinks before a performance by Tufts' student band Time Lapse.
"We've already been working for months," Josh Ludmer, co-chair of Tufts University Relay for Life, said. "This is an introduction [to the program for] the campus."
The event began with an announcement of the top group and individual fundraisers so far. Sophomore Sarah Katz is currently leading with $258 dollars raised, followed by senior Adrienne Roma with $250 and junior Robyn Yano with $210.
This year's all-night Relay for Life will be held in the Gantcher Field House starting on the afternoon of Feb. 21 and ending on the morning of Feb. 22. Teams will walk, jog, or run around the track throughout the evening and night, trying to keep at least one person from the team on the track at all times.
Sponsors may support a team or individual for the time they spend in the event. Boston College, Boston University and Harvard University will also be participating.
The Tufts Relay for Life began three years ago and raised $55,000, setting a Tufts record for a single fundraiser. It broke that record last year, bringing in $63,000.
Students hope to break $70,000 this year, Ludmer said, "As long as we keep improving each year."
The national Relay for Life organization netted $10 million last year for its fight against cancer.
CORRECTION: FEB. 17, 2006The photo accompanying yesterday's News story "Relay for Life kicks off its return to Tufts" (Feb. 16, 2006) was incorrectly attributed to Jo Duara. The photo should have been attributed to Alex Schmieder.
