Every year, 400,000 people die of cancer related illnesses; a majority of these deaths are caused by lung and breast cancer. Imagine if all of these people had been aware of their various cases. If they were more prepared or more exposed to advanced medication.

Assembled nine years ago by the committee of the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Relay for Life is a 24-hour event to which helps spread awareness of the fatalities caused by cancer and instills hope in those who have been affected by it.

Glendale’s fifth annual Relay for Life will be held on Saturday at the Scholl Canyon Baseball Field from 10:00 a.m. and will end the following day.

“This year’s theme is ‘Hoover High Tornadoes blow cancer away,’” ACSY President Vartan Azizian (’09) said.

The American Cancer Society Yout (ACSY), a high school organization in cooperation with the ACS, raised $10,000 last year in fundraising and hopes to surpass that amount this year. Business donations are a large part of the fundraising.

For the part four years, Relay for Life has opened its arms to cancer survivors and those who wish to pay respect to cancer victims, and this year they will continue the tradition. Students, teachers, parents and community members will gather once again to honor those who have been fighting this disease.

“It’s a fun experience and at the same time you get the feeling like you’re doing something charitable,” Michael Alchermes (’09) said, who attended last year’s event.

Although it is meant to be an emotional event, there will be activities, games, and music completely dedicated to cancer survivors. However, the main event of the night will be the Luminaria ceremony.

In the ceremony everyone will be asked to light a candle and walk around the track in memory of those who are battling cancer and those who have passed away. A big glowing HOPE sign on the mountains will also be in view from the stadium as people walk side by side.

It is a very emotional and revered day and being permitted to camp at the site overnight is also part of the experience. Many organizations, students, and parents spend the full 24 hours at the event.

“There’s nothing like spending the night alongside your peers,” Azizian said. “This is when you truly begin to feel the magnitude of this entire event.”