The Relay For Life branch at SMU recently won the title as the number one college Relay in an online event. The American Cancer Society said that SMU competed against the top 25 American Cancer Society college Relays For Life and came out on top.

The Relay For Life program is an organized, overnight community walk to fundraise for the American Cancer Society. Teams set up campsites at various locations (schools or parks) and members of each team take turns walking around the track. Food, game and activity booths are also present at the campsite to provide entertainment and morale as members walk laps. The money raised at the end of the event goes towards cancer research, education, prevention programs and critical services.

The online event took place Feb. 23-25 earlier this year. The challenge for the top 25 American Cancer Society Relay For Life college participants was to raise $250,000 collectively online over a three-day period. According to the American Cancer Society, The Relay For Life at SMU raised $45,534, taking first place while raising a collective $315,654.

Rebecca Wood, staff partner for the Relay For Life, released a statement through the American Cancer Society regarding SMU’s success in the online event.

“The SMU community rose to new heights with the unbelievable success they had during the Number One Relay Challenge,” said Wood. “I am so proud of the student-led committee and the community as a whole.”

This is not the first time SMU has surpassed its expected goal for Relay For Life.

In 2014, SMU’s Relay For Life team raised more than $153,000, exceeding its goal of $145,000.

The 2015 Relay For Life of SMU will take place 6 p.m. April 10. Students, teachers and faculty are encouraged to participate in the event to make progress toward a world without cancer.