Every step taken in the Gosman Sports Center last Saturday night possessed a different meaning. To some, it represented a hope for a better world. To others, it was the memory of a loved one. No matter one's history with cancer, the Relay For Life event was a place for the Brandeis community to come together for a cause. Relay For Life, which is run by the American Cancer Society, is a national charity event that raises money for cancer research and prevention. Each year, the Brandeis community hosts the event as part of a nationwide campus effort. Teams are formed in advance so they can fundraise, and participants make their way around the track all night to show their support.

At this year's event, there were more than 800 students, faculty, campus personnel and other Brandeis community members present, making up over 80 teams. People poured into the gym to remember, honor and celebrate cancer patients, survivors and those who have lost the battle to the disease.

The goal of the event was presented as a way to Remember, Celebrate and Fight Back, and the night was filled with both somber and festive activities and events.

The night opened at 7 p.m. with a ceremony that featured 14 survivors who walked an honorary first lap, which was followed by a private dinner provided for them.

Nathan Feldman '14, who attended the event, described the night as "humbling" and explained that he came to the event "because it's nice to see others are with you in hard times. People should feel that they are not alone," he said. Feldman felt that "the community should be [here] for support."

The initial ceremony kicked off the "celebration" leg of the event. As many walked, jogged and even leap-frogged around the track from 7 p.m. on Saturday until 5:30 Sunday morning, there were countless other activities taking place all over the gym.

Each team set up a station around the track with activities including face painting, softball pitching, and a silent auction to raise additional money. In addition, there was a moon bounce in the middle of the track, a student favorite.

The Brandeis community, known for its tight-knit and caring environment, lived up to its stereotype in a very moving display of character. Students, many of whom didn't know each other, played catch with footballs and frisbees and kicked around soccer balls throughout the night. Students walked laps with campus staff, and each team station was frequented by many. The talent of the student body was also highlighted, as students in a cappella groups, stomp teams and assorted bands performed throughout the night.

Sarah Cohen '11, the chair of the event, said that this year's relay saw more people than ever before at Brandeis.

Hannah Katcoff '12, co-chair of the event, emphasized that the unity of the community is what makes the event possible each year. As she has been involved with organizing the event for 3 years, she explained that the community is not simply comprised of the student body.

"[This year] there was more involvement from outside the student body than ever before. We had an enormous amount of support from the administration, and the dining service auctioned off meals," Katcoff said.

She feels that "[The event] brings the best out of everyone. There's so much debate on campus, but this is something that affects everyone and everyone can agree on."

Although the celebration of life was a key aspect of the night, remembering those who have passed from the disease was a major feature of the event as well. The Luminaria ceremony, which was held at 10:30 p.m., was one of the most memorable portions of the event and was the relay's approach to "remember." Hundreds of glow sticks were thrown into a giant bag to honor those affected by cancer.

Afterward, the participants walked in silence as the room was lit solely by 200 glow sticks that lined the track.

The glow sticks, combined with a heartfelt "Amazing Grace" sung by Robert Orzalli '11 and Abigail Clarke '12 in the background, provided an atmosphere of open emotions as many people hugged, held hands and cried.

At the conclusion of the lap, there was an opportunity to write a note on the Luminaria bag titled "Dedicated to." Many of the notes were motivational messages to loved ones who are currently fighting the disease, while most of the others were in memory of those relatives and friends that were lost.

For Cohen, who has been a part of the charity event for 4 years, the event carries with it an even deeper, personal meaning, as she lost her father to cancer when she was in high school. She said that one of her goals for the event was to have "members of the community come to support the cause and each other." She felt that "people must stand together in order to create an awareness and understanding of the disease and ways to fight it."

Immediately following the Luminaria ceremony, Ben Rabb, a singer and acoustic guitarist from Connecticut, took to the main performance stage positioned in the center of the gym. As the mood was still somber from the ceremony, he played a set of songs that mostly contained messages of hope. In his cover of Bob Marley's "No Woman, No Cry," he sang the repetitive bridge of "everything is gonna be alright."

When asked what it meant to him to play at an event such as this, especially after the Luminaria Ceremony, he replied that, "It's a great opportunity, and very moving." Rabb added that his cover of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" was the most meaningful to him.

He relayed a story that after playing the song at another gig, a girl approached him crying. She explained that the night that he performed was the 1-year anniversary of the end her mother's losing battle with cancer, and on her gravestone read the words "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

As the celebration continued on throughout the night, participants understood not only the importance of partaking in the relay itself but also in raising funds for the American Cancer Society. "Fight Back" was one of the slogans of the event, and each year, the community does its best to combat the disease.

Teams began signing up and fundraising months prior to the event, and the fundraising continues until August.

Most of the money raised from the event will be donated to scientific research attempting to understand cancer's causes, determine how best to prevent it and find new cures.

Other programs that the money is allocated to are ones that help patients physically and emotionally with whatever needs that may arise. Last year's total amounted to $85,000, and this year's total is projected to be in the same vicinity. As Cohen put it, "the goal is to not let the disease take any more people."

The Brandeis community once again stepped up in putting their own lives on hold in order to be there for others, as they helped turn a regular Saturday night into something extraordinary.