Over the weekend, Husky Stadium's inner green was filled with camping tents, Frisbee-throwers and sponsors passing out snacks and drinks as UW students and Seattle community members participated in the annual Relay for Life event.

As participants walked the track, the Portland, Ore., band Holding Out took the main stage and launched into an energized tune, turning some walkers into joggers.

At the Survivor Social next to the stage, former cancer patients received massages as the speakers blared next to them. Tables were filled with people talking and eating under the same canopy.

"At the Survivor Social we try to treat our survivors well," said Kelly Cochran, a senior and co-chair of UW Relay for Life.

The event was started by Dr. Gordy Klatt of Tacoma in 1985. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), Klatt hoped to raise money for his local ACS office and decided to run a marathon to do so. He ran more than 83 miles and raised $27,000.

Today, Relay for Life is a nationwide event and has recently branched out internationally with celebrations in Ireland and New Zealand.

Team Sport, a group of UW women basketball players, began fundraising a few weeks before the event.

"It was hard to find sponsors because we started so late," sophomore Sami Whitcomb said. Many donations came from family members.

"We got a lot of money from our parents," said sophomore Heidi McNeil, a fellow Team Sport member.

McNeil also mentioned that this was her first time at the relay and that she was happy to see a community built around it.

"It's a great cause," she said.

There were numerous events throughout the night to keep walkers going, including a movie, a Jet City Improv performance, a talent show and an early morning speed dating event.

Justin Aldrich, a junior who has participated in previous years, pointed out that although each team is supposed to have a member walking at all times, that's not always the case.

"We only have two people here right now," he said.

Those who participated were not all members of the Greek community or sports teams. Aldrich, for example, put his team together on his own.

"I know people who have died of cancer; my older sister did," he said. "It's really easy to raise money. You can send out e-mails; I've found phone calls work the best."

Although Relay for Life has only raised a little more than half of its $300,000 goal, the fundraising will continue until August.

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