Relay For Life, the annual overnight walk benefitting the American Cancer Society, will hold its Penn State event this weekend. The event kicks off at the Penn State outdoor track at 2 p.m. on Saturday and concludes 24 hours later on Sunday afternoon.

The concept of the overnight walk reflects the fact that cancer never sleeps. “Throughout the year, Penn State students and members of the State College community work to raise funds and promote awareness for the American Cancer Society,” its website reads.

Throughout campus this week, you may have noticed a group of students spreading purple, a part of the #PaintPSUPurple campaign, the signature color for the event and an effort to raise funds through social media. It appears to be working: So far, more than 100 teams and 1,300 participants have signed up, and raised more than a collective $65,000. The beneficiary, the American Cancer Society, is the second largest cancer research funder in the country, behind only the government.

This year’s Relay For Life theme is “We Can All Be Heroes.” Teams will walk laps around the track and many participants will camp out for the weekend as musical groups provide entertainment. Last year, the event raised $111,790.13. This year, Relay For Life teams hope to break the 2013 fundraising record of about $137,602.59.

Relay For Life and Penn State are now in their 12th year joining efforts to fight cancer. The Penn State chapter needs to raise only $102,000 until it eclipses the $1 million total mark.

If you cannot make it to the event or you just want to donate, you can do so here. You can also sign up to participate until the day of the event here.

Photo: Penn State Relay For Life