SMU student Katie Schaible was recognized Tuesday by the American Cancer Society for raising more money for the organization than any high school or college student with a final count of more than $32,000.

During last year’s Relay for Life (RFL), Schaible was one student whose efforts helped the event raise more than $152,000, exceeding its goal of $145,000. Her individual fundraising that year also helped SMU make the top spot out of 25 college relays in the country.

She played a similarly integral role in 2013, as RFL’s director of teams committee and she was, again, the top fundraiser.

Schaible was inspired to volunteer for the cause after her father died of melanoma when she was 14.

“I know how cancer can break a family down and change your life,” Schaible said prior to 2012’s RFL. “The Relay For Life fundraising experience has been much more than raising money. It has given me the opportunity to spread awareness and talk about treatment and prevention. Educating people and sharing my story has kept me committed to this project.”