The best parts of Shippensburg University were on display Friday night as students and faculty united to raise money and awareness in SU’s seventh annual Relay for Life.

Relay for Life is an overnight community fundraising event that raises money for the American Cancer Society.

The event was organized by Colleges Against Cancer, an SU club under the guidance of President Tara Cylcewski.

Cylcewski has been spearheading her club’s fundraising efforts since September. Prior to the event, which began at 6 p.m. on Friday and lasted until 6 a.m. on Saturday, participants collected more than $36,000.

To date, this year’s Relay for Life has accumulated more than $50,000.

The event saw massive attendance from the SU community; more than 700 people attended, said Brenna Terry, Relay for Life co-chair.

Clubs and Greek organizations participated in the multitude of events that occurred throughout the night. The event, which was lightly themed as “Pirates of the Cure-ibbean,” saw fun tropical distractions such as a beach-themed jail. For just 25 cents, participants could volunteer their friends for five minutes of “jail time.” The jail was a huge money-maker, Terry said.

The event was littered with games and activities throughout the night, such as a human-sized version of Hungry Hungry Hippos hosted by the Future Business Leaders of America Club, or scooter races across the center of the gym floor. Raffle prizes were distributed throughout the night, and during the interim, participants could help themselves to complimentary beverages and cotton candy.

All the while, friends and faculty walked side-by-side around the track. Even the families of SU faculty members arrived with their sneakers primed and their coffee in tow.

Alison Dagnes, her husband and her two daughters made up just one of the families that attended the event.

Dagnes is a political science professor at SU. Nine months ago, she discovered that she had breast cancer. Six months ago, she exhibited courage and bravery and underwent a mastectomy.

Now, Dagnes is cancer-free.

Team Dagnes saw the combined efforts of more than 43 members raise more than $9,500. They even fashioned themselves with hot pink T-shirts.

Dagnes, who attended her first Relay for Life Friday night, stayed the entire night to help “kick cancer’s butt.”

Fundraising efforts have not stopped. If you are interested in donating to SU’s Relay for Life, you can contribute through the official website: relayforlife.org.

Donations will be accepted through August.

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