The Undergraduate Student Government Senate allocated $1,500 Tuesday night to the third annual Coaches vs. Cancer (CvC) 5K Run/Walk.

This USG philanthropy, which is the largest CvC student organization in the nation and the largest race in central Pennsylvania, raises money for the American Cancer Society.

"This is one of the few campus events that unites students with members of the community," said Mike Ross, CvC director.

This year's race will start at 10 a.m. April 6 at the Intramural Building.

On April 5, registration packets will be available at The Student Bookstore, 330 E. College Ave., from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The $12 registration fee includes race entrance, T-shirts to the first 1,000 registered participants, an all-you-can-eat spaghetti dinner and entrance in the raffles. For registrations received after March 29, the fee is $15.

Last year the event brought out 758 participants and raised $1,200. Ross said he expects 1,000 participants this year.

CvC is a joint effort between the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society and is dedicated to reducing the risk of cancer in youths.

It uses fan contributions to help with cancer research, encourages public and professional education, delivers services to cancer patients and their families, and promotes public and patient advocacy.

Town Sen. Steph Wood supported USG's continued philanthropic involvement.

"We encourage Thon in February that benefits pediatric cancer and then in April we should continue by participating in cancer research on a national level," she said.

The CvC committee, a subdivision of USG, consists of 26 volunteers working with Penn State basketball coaches Rene Portland and Jerry Dunn on this project.

The group's new initiatives include cancer prevention through encouraging physical fitness, sun protection, nutrition, early detection of prostate cancer and warning about the dangers of tobacco.

"USG has had a lot of negative press lately and here is one department that has been working hard all year and is the best in the country at what they do," Town Sen. Bridget Van Osten said. "Funding them money was goodwill on our part."