This year, cancer will strike more than 1.3 million Americans and take more than half a million lives. As friends and family, we can do something to save lives and help those already fighting this disease. The Colleges Against Cancer club on campus, a division of the American Cancer Society, wants to do something to help, and we want you to help us do it. On May 20 to 21 the Colleges Against Cancer club will be hosting a 24-hour walk-a-thon on the UCSB track called Relay For Life. This year’s theme is “The Ultimate Co-ed Sleepover” because it will be a lively and entertaining way to raise money for the cause.

Relay is an overnight event that unites our community in a common effort to support the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health problem. For 24 hours, over 50 teams of UCSB faculty, staff and students will combine their efforts for the fight against this unpredictable and tragic disease. Since January the teams have been raising money and creatively coming up with a team-theme to display on their shirts and at their campsite. In our efforts so far, we have raised almost $40,000 and expect more online, off-line and day-of donations to be collected.

Opening ceremony beings at noon on May 20, featuring a performance by Naked Voices and our keynote speaker, last year’s relay chair and a survivor himself, Patrick Male. Local Isla Vista restaurants donated food to feed participants and keep them going all night long! After the moving Luminaria Ceremony and Survivor Spotlight at 9 p.m., a DJ will keep it rocking into the small hours of the morning, to be followed by a midnight performance from Short Changed and a poker tournament.

Monique Walker, Brittany Enos and Robin Babbini are still encouraging people to sign up at: www.acsevents.org/relay/ca/ucsb. If you raise at least $100 you will enjoy free food and a free T-shirt! We welcome any and all support at the event, even if you are not a registered member. So, pack up a lawn chair, sunscreen and a couple bucks to buy a raffle ticket and get ready because this year Relay For Life is going to be the Ultimate Co-ed Sleepover of 2006. It’s just one day of your life to support an amazing cause! Together, we can help the American Cancer Society accelerate the progress toward a cancer-free future.

Monique Walker is an actuarial statistics major. Brittany Enos is a junior communication major. Robin Babbini is a junior English major.