Despite the rain and cold temperatures, a team of college faculty and staff dedicated a Friday night in April to walk and run laps around the Drillfield for the Virginia Tech Relay for Life. The CNRE Cancer Crushers team raised $2,765 for the American Cancer Society, far surpassing their initial goal of $1,200.

“Our team was a motivated and spirited crew that really pulled together to raise money while honoring our family and friends by doing a few laps in their name around the soggy Drillfield track,” said Audrey Zink-Sharp, team captain. “Our thanks go out to all who supported us. Next year we’d like to double team membership and our donation totals.”

The university, which has hosted the Relay for Life for the past 10 years, has received a variety of awards and recognition for its participation and fundraising, including the 2009 and 2010 Gordy Klatt Award for the highest net income in the youth/college category, as well as past awards for top college participation per capita, top online fundraising, and greatest number of survivors present at an event. This year Virginia Tech had the biggest university effort at 5,500 participants, and was recognized as the first collegiate relay in history to raise more than $600,000.