Collegiate Times

This past Friday, over 1,500 students from approximately 130 student groups and organizations participated in the annual Relay for Life walk around Johnson Track. Relay for Life is a campaign that remembers those who have passed from cancer and to celebrate those who have survived it.

This year, Virginia Tech raised between $140,000 and $145,000 for the American Cancer Society during the course of the past several months in the community and school's campaign. The funds raised are donated to further cancer research and for the promotion of cancer awareness.

?There was over 30 percent increase in funds raised and participation than last year,? said Chris Chesson, senior mechanical engineer and the director of this year's Relay for Life.

Throughout the night, students made their way around Johnson Track representing their organizations, while others camped out in tents on the field or enjoyed the live entertainment.

Fiji came in first place raising over $6,000, surpassing their original goal of $5,000.

Thunderstorms sent students prematurely home from the relay around 3 a.m. The relay was intended to be held until 9 a.m. Saturday morning with the closing ceremony following immediately afterwards.