Katy Atkinson and Zara Taylor are no strangers to the world of cancer.
Both have close friends and relatives - ''quite a few'', Ms Taylor said - who have dealt with cancer diagnoses.
And both have been part of a student group, Cancer Core, that received the 2015 Minister of Health Volunteer Awards.
In a press release, Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman singled out the Otago University Students' Association affiliated group's 2014 Relay for Life event.
''Their inaugural Relay for Life attracted more than 1000 students and raised over $60,000 for the Cancer Society,'' he said.
''It was a bit of a shock for us [to win],'' Ms Atkinson said.
''We had no idea,'' Ms Taylor added.
Ms Atkinson, then Cancer Core president, organised the 2014 relay.
''It's a fun event - it's something that appeals to students.''
Before Cancer Core was founded in 2013, there had been little to no engagement between students and groups like the Cancer Society, she said.
Although Ms Atkinson was pleased the relay raised money for the Cancer Society, the primary focus had been raising awareness about the society among students, not necessarily funds.
Another relay would likely be planned for autumn 2016.
Both women did their master's at the University of Otago focusing on breast cancer survivors - Ms Atkinson on survivors returning to work and Ms Taylor on exercise for survivors.
University acting vice chancellor Prof Vernon Squire said the university was ''extremely proud'' of Cancer Core's volunteers.
