Stand Up To Cancer, a new club at Saint Mary's College, kicked off the year Saturday with a 3K Halloween Fun Run.
More than 20 runners sporting Halloween costumes participated in the Saturday morning run that looped through campus.
Senior Laura L'Abbe ran the race with her father.
"My dad was here for Senior Dad's Weekend and we just found out my dad's uncle has esophageal cancer, so the run actually came at a good time," L'Abbe said. "My dad actually won the race and we got a free HotBoxpizza."
L'Abbe, who dressed up as a ballerina and ran in pinks tights, said she had a lot of fun running in costume.
"It was a great time and we are really glad we participated," she said. "Thanks to everyone who put the race on."
Junior Devon Graham, president of Stand Up To Cancer at Saint Mary's, was happy with the turnout and enthusiasm people showed.
"This was our first event ever as a club and we raised close to $100, which I think is a great start for our kickoff event," Graham said.
She said all proceeds went to Stand Up To Cancer.
"What's great about this organization is 100 percent of donations [go] to cancer research," Graham said.
Graham said she had known about the national organization for a few years and thought it would be a great club to bring to campus since so many people are affected by cancer.
"Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer," she said. "It's something that hits everyone."
Stand Up To Cancer supports cancer research as a whole and promotes cancer awareness.
"It's not only about funding breast cancer research, but also research of other cancers that affect people too," Graham said. "What's different and great about Stand Up To Cancer is that they work together with scientists in research rather than in competition," Graham said.
Junior BrittaniHradsky, vice president of Stand Up To Cancer at Saint Mary's, agreed.
"It's also about bringing awareness of all different cancers and getting involved," she said.
Saint Mary's College is one of the first schools to have Stand Up To Cancer as an official college club, Graham said.
"As a club we are planning to volunteer in the chemotherapy room at Memorial Hospital and we're working on a Cancer Awareness Week," she said.
The club is also open to Notre Dame students and anyone interested is encouraged to email dgraha01@saintmarys.edu.
