A walk across the University of Wisconsin-Superior campus Thursday was like a trip back in time.
Rat tails, Mohawks and big hair could be seen on students and faculty alike.
The "Colleges Against Cancer" student organization hosted a Big Hair fund raiser for the American Cancer Society at Rothwell Student Center. The event raised money for tonight's Relay for Life, which has a "through the decades" theme, said Tammy Fanning, UWS assistant dean of student life and relay participant.
Fanning masterminded the big hair event because it's something she did during her own college days.
"We've just been having fun," Fanning said. "We have a great passion for fighting cancer."
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The group raised $1,628 by giving hair an '80s flair. The money will be donated to the Cancer Society tonight when UWS's second annual Relay for Life kicks off at 6 p.m. at the Health and Wellness Center on campus.
Colleges Against Cancer members did the hairdo's assisted by Amber Kervina from La Peinado Salon to promote this year's Relay for Life theme "The Decade's Closer to a Cure."
Each team is dressing up as a different decade. Some are from the '70s, others are going to be from the future. One of the highlights of the Relay is the Decades Fashion Show, said Jamie Nelson, Relay tri-chair.
Last year, the group's Relay theme was "superheroes." People dressed up as traditional superheroes or made up their own costumes. It was a gas, Nelson said.
Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m., the survivors lap starts at 7 p.m. with the luminary ceremony at 10 p.m. and the final lap at 5 a.m. Saturday. The public is welcome to stop by.
Twenty-one teams are participating in the event. Most are made up of student groups from UWS, but a few community groups are participating.
A team from Northwestern Middle School already has raised $3.000.
Colleges Against Cancer's goal is to raise $15,000 to $20,000. Last year's Relay netted about $11,000.
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Relay for Life is an overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event is also focused on remembering cancer victims and honoring survivors. The first Relay was held in 1986 in Tacoma, Wash., according to the Relay for Life Web site.
Superior/Douglas County holds a Relay for Life event at UWS each July.
"Cancer never sleeps, and we're not going to sleep," Fanning said.
