Tomorrow, Relay for Life will bring students, community volunteers and cancer survivors together for a fundraising celebration at Husky Stadium. Registration begins at noon and opening ceremonies at 2 p.m.

The UW has been involved in Relay for Life (RFL) since 2003. Last year students raised $209,134, bumping the goal for this year to $300,000. All money raised goes to the American Cancer Society.

"Every year we do something to raise money for a large charitable organization, and for the past few years we have raised money for Relay for Life," said senior Elliott Anderson of Beta Theta Pi Fraternity. "[My fraternity] chose RFL due to the fact that cancer is something that affects everyone's lives in some way, and it is an important issue to many of the people in our house."

It's not too late to join the fundraising. Organizers ask participants to raise $100, but because the fund-raising year does not end until August, new participants may register the day of the event.

"The Relay for Life e-mail system is so fast and easy that many guys reached their fundraising goal by just sending out two or three e-mails," said sophomore Nathan Buxbaum, also of Beta Theta Pi. "In fact, three guys on the team raised over a $1000 just by sending out five to 10 e-mails."

For some, personal experience affected the amount of money they raised.

"This is not my first year participating, but the reason my donation was substantial is because I recently lost a good friend to Ewing's sarcoma," sophomore participant Riley Del Fierro said.

The first lap run is the survivor victory lap, followed by the survivor social with free massages and other services for those who have battled cancer.

This event is an "18-hour relay," said senior Matt Simon, co-chair of UW Relay for Life.

There will be live bands, Jet City Improv and a variety of events throughout the night, including a guest speaker, a UW alumnus who attended the very first Relay for Life in 1985.

At 10 p.m., the Luminaria Ceremony will take place. All lights will go out, with the exception of luminary bags filled with candles. A bagpiper will play as attendees acknowledge both survivors and those lost to cancer.

"It's very emotional," said Kelly Cochran, a senior and co-chair of UW Relay for Life, said. "But it's my favorite part."

Simon said most first-time participants end up wishing they had been there the previous years as well.

"It's a great time and good cause," he said.

Reach reporter Sarah Greenleaf at news@thedaily.washington.edu.