Students are coming together for this year’s UO Relay For Life Kick Off Week, which runs Monday, Nov. 17, through Thursday, Nov. 20.

Kickoff week celebrates Relay For Life’s eighth year on campus, reaches out to volunteers and raises awareness.

“Kickoff is a nationwide event that signals the beginning of Relay,” said Lindsay Curletto, co-event chair. “We are excited because we get to invite past teams and new teams as well as show that we are an organization that is dedicated to fundraising year-round.”

Organizers will have a table outside The Duck Store Monday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to register teams. A Yogurt Extreme fundraiser will be held Wednesday from 7 p.m. to 11 p.m.

The main kickoff event will be Thursday from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Room 302, Gerlinger Hall. It will include booths for joining teams, dedicating luminaria bags, learning about cancer awareness, meeting Relay for Life committee chairs and enjoying light refreshments and music. Organizers will also announce the fundraising goal.

Last year, UO Relay For Life raised more than $34,000 with more than 600 participants. This year, the group already has raised more than $400, and four teams have registered.

For the first time, UO Relay For Life will be held inside at the Student Recreation Center. It starts at 5 p.m. Saturday, April 25, and ends at 8 a.m. Sunday, April 26. This year’s theme is Cancer Beat Down.

To register, visit uorelay.org. For more information, visit uorelay.com.