Hundreds of candles and glow sticks lit in paper bags align the edges of a track in the middle of the night. One bag labels, “In honor of John: R.I.P. July 2006,” while another pays tribute to “Cousin Mary, Survivor.” Meanwhile, groups of people are circling the track and a few others are asleep in tents. Why exactly are so people camping out in a field? Relay For Life — that’s why.

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For many Paly students, this weekend is a chance to obtain 24 hours of community service at the event called Relay For Life. Relay For Life, in partnership with the American Cancer Society, has gained much interest over the years among local cities. Last year, only 19 Relay For Life events took place locally and this year, 49 Relays in total will be held in the Bay Area, according to Relay’s Web site (http://www.relayforlife.org).

First created in 1986, Relay For Life has become one of the largest fundraising events in the world. Attendees of Relay set a goal and raise money for the American Cancer Society prior to the event. On the day of Relay, members pitch tents and bring sleeping bags, while trying to keep one another on the track for 24 hours to pay tribute to those struck by cancer. According to the event’s Web site, “Every dollar you raise makes a difference to people in your community whose lives are touched by cancer.”

After dusk, a Luminaria Ceremony of Hope is held, where candles and glow sticks are placed along the track to honor cancer survivors and contributors to the American Cancer Society.

“After dark, the candles are lit, and while someone reads aloud all the names, people walk around the track,” Connolly said. “Some candles have notes from family or friends written on them. It’s a really meaningful experience.”

Paly’s own team, led by sophomore Sara Connolly, was first organized last year, but only had about 12 members. Since then, Relay For Life has received more attention in the Paly community. Connolly expects about 30 members for this year’s team. She first became involved in Relay For Life when she joined Castilleja’s team in the seventh grade. Other local schools including Los Altos High School have had their own teams in the past.

Paly’s Key Club also participates in Relay For Life annually, but the Key Club team is a combination of Paly and Gunn students. According to Chris Chang, Key Club Youth Committee Chair, the Paly/Gunn team consisted of 38 members in 2005, and 44 members in 2006. A large number of members is expected to register this year as well, Chang said. This year’s Key Club Relay For Life will take place on July 14 at Campbell.

Although many Paly students attend Relay For Life for the community service, they can engage in other fun activities by the track.

“In the past, there have been dance troops, bands, and speakers,” Connolly said. “In addition, there are a bunch of games to help raise awareness about cancer. Last year, there even was a cotton candy machine.”

For Connolly and former Key Club president Alex Ji, every part of Relay For Life is a memorable experience.

“Relay is a great time to bond with other participants,” Connolly said.

For Ji, the main highlight of Relay For Life comes prior to the event itself.

“What I like most about Relay is actually everything that comes before,” Ji said. “What we do to fundraise for the event itself: carwashes, door-to-door, etc. We actually held a party to try to fundraise.”

The Relay For Life this weekend will take place at Roble Field, located at 351 Santa Teresa Street, Stanford starting at noon Saturday, ending noon Sunday. A Relay For Life will be held at Paly’s track on August 25. For more details on the event or dates for other cities, visit http://www.relayforlife.org.