UNION SPRINGS - A brisk early morning walk followed by a hearty pancake breakfast ... what a nice way to start the day. And to boot, it was all in an effort to raise awareness for cancer, the No. 2 killer of Americans.

The Union Springs ninth grade National Junior Honor Society hosted the school project Sunday. After a walk through the town, participants gathered at the Union Springs High School cafeteria for Dash-N-Dine for the Cure, an all-you-can-eat pancake, eggs and sausage breakfast that included juice and coffee.

Each year, the honor students plan and oversee a fund-raising event of their choice. This year, proceeds from the event will be donated to the American Cancer Society Foundation.

"Cancer is something that will affect everyone in one way or another at some point in their life," said ninth-grade honor student Katie Foster. "We wanted to do something that would help."

T-shirts, awareness bracelets and cancer awareness literature were also offered by the students who welcomed guests and prepared the breakfast.

"We have been really working on this for about three months," said Zach Cuipylo, one of the event's cooks. "I was worried and nervous about how it would turn out, but it has been going really good. I am happy with the way it turned out."

"It is actually really fun," added Bethany Brantner. "I am really enjoying it."

The students sold approximately 40 T-shirts and 100 meals to community members and parents.