Shepherd University’s 9th Annual Relay For Life celebration will take place today, April 15, at 4 p.m. on campus at the Midway next to the Student Center.

The event will last 14 hours until sunrise on Saturday morning at 6 a.m. The annual event is held to raise money and awareness for cancer research through the American Cancer Society.

There are 57 teams registered for the event with 711 individuals participating. So far the university has been able to raise $43,116.56 for this year’s event, and since the first Relay For Life held at Shepherd in 2003, the university has raised more than $400,000, according to the university’s latest press release.

“The students never stop amazing me with their commitment,” said Holly Frye, director of student community services and service learning at Shepherd.

The theme for the event is “Lights, Camera, Take Action,” and all cancer survivors attending will be honored as the “stars” of the evening because they provide hope to us all, Frye said.

Fundraisers will be held throughout the day including everything from a bake sale, silent auction, balloon animals in the color of cancer awareness ribbons, a tie-dying station, face painting and more.

Participants can also purchase a luminary online or at the event in memory or in honor of someone they love who has fought cancer. The luminary ceremony will take place at 10 p.m. where each name will be read aloud to a silent crowd.

Registration is still open and the cost is $10, participants will receive a t-shirt, dinner and entertainment all evening.

For more information about how to register, participate or donate to Shepherd University’s Relay For Life event visit www.shepherd.edu/relayforlife or call 304-876-5402.