Grilling food, live music and people playing Frisbee seemed like a typical evening in a college town.

These particular SIUC students and community members came together for one night to show their support for finding a cure for cancer.

More than 70 teams covered McAndrew Stadium’s field to participate in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life Saturday. Student organizations and local businesses camped out for 12 consecutive hours to remember those who lost their lives, those who are currently fighting the battle and those who have survived this deadly disease.

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Rebecca Servin of Carbondale was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2005. She said her battle with the disease was one of the hardest fights of her life. But because of her faith, family and husband of 36 years, she was able to get through it all, she said.

Servin and many other survivors were recognized at the beginning of the ceremony. When they walked a lap around the track to “Eye of the Tiger” by Survivor, each of their names was read and other relay participants stayed at their campsites and gave the survivors a standing ovation.

“I’m proud of the number of kids who were out to support this cause and be so compassionate about it,” Servin said.

Servin said she is glad this generation is willing to work toward finding a cure for cancer. The continuous support and dedication will lead to a cure some day, she said.

Although each team had to raise money before the event, different organizations continued to ask for donations throughout the night. Students sold a variety of things, from handmade clothes to hot dogs, to get as much money as they could to help fund cure research.

For John Carmon, a member of the German Club, it was more than just selling cakes and cookies for his organization. Carmon said he has witnessed two battles of cancer close to his heart.

Carmon, a freshman from Crystal Lake studying aviation, said both his mother and grandmother had cancer. An event like this is very important to him because he knows what it is like for someone to lose a loved one from it, he said.

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This was his first time participating in Relay for Life, Carmon said. He said he is glad an event like this exists so the research can continue and others in the future will not have to go through what he had to endure.

“It’s something that is definitely worth donating money towards and I hope it continues to encourage people to get involved,” Carmon said.

Dawn Dietrich, director of the Marion branch of American Cancer Society, said this year had more participation from students than any of the event’s past 15 years.

Dietrich said so many people participate in the Relay For Life because everyone is connected by it in some way. Whether it is the student, a family member or friend, students are realizing how much of an effect this has on people around the world.

The students who came out are the future and are the ones needed to work on a cure for cancer, she said.

“This event brings everyone from all walks of life together for a similar cause and shows how much people do care,” Dietrich said.

Jenn Lofton can be reached at 536-3311 ext 270 or [email protected].