For volunteers at N.C. State, participating in Relay for Life is nothing new.

For the past two years, members of the University community have held the overnight event, dedicated to celebrating cancer survivors, to raise money for the American Cancer Society to continue research in fighting cancer.

But this year, there’s a difference — a $50,000 difference.

Each year, volunteers for Relay for Life have doubled the previous year’s goal. First it was $25,000, then $50,000.

This year, participants plan to up the ante to $100,000

Chasta Hamilton, a junior in arts applications and political science and 2006 Relay for Life event chair, said her duties included being the supervisor and the ACS liaison.

Hamilton and five other Parks scholars founded the Relay for Life event [at NCSU] three years ago.

“The cause is really close to my heart,” Hamilton said. “I lost my mother and my grandfather to cancer.”

According to Hamilton, it’s the “labor of love” that she is very passionate about.

“I have to be involved with it since it affected my life so deeply,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton commented on how people in the past have been so thankful and appreciative about the event.

“The people, especially the survivors, are always so grateful,” Hamilton said. “It’s easy to keep coming back with so much enthusiasm.”

Hamilton said this year’s theme is different from what has been done in the past.

“This year we are going with the theme of internationalism, kind of like an Epcot them,” Hamilton said. “Our slogan is ‘One world, One hope, One cure.'”

Hamilton said by making the event much more widespread, the organizers of this year’s Relay hope to reach out to a wider audience.

“The size of this year’s Relay is what is going to make the difference,” Hamilton said.

Walt Sharpton, a senior in marketing, is this year’s Relay’s publicity co-chair. Being Sharpton’s first year involved with Relay, he said he is enthusiastic about what it has to offer.

“For me it’s the cause,” Sharpton said. “By participating in the event, people pay a tribute to those lives lost to cancer.”

Sharpton said it’s an amazing way to honor survivors and invites the whole community to get involved.

“There are plenty of ways to get involved,” Sharpton said. “The kickoff for Relay is designed to raise awareness, get the word out to students and give those interested ways to get involved.”

Suzanne Rhodes, a senior in biochemistry, and Relay’s 2006 publicity co-chair, is also involved with Relay for the first time at NCSU.

“I was involved throughout high school, but did not know that we had a Relay at NCSU until this year,” Rhodes said. “I want to help publicize it.”

Rhodes said cancer will eventually affect everyone in one way or another.

“Whether it’s you, family, friends or coworkers, it will affect everyone,” Rhodes said. “It may not be now, but definitely somewhere down the road.”

Carley Haber, a senior in Spanish, said she was one of those people.

“My mother was diagnosed with breast cancer last year,” Haber said. “It was a very difficult time for my family and I.”

Haber said she supports any events that raise awareness about cancer.

“Cancer is blind — it does not see gender, race or age,” she said. “It’s important to raise awareness for something that can affect practically everyone.”