Continuing The Fight Against Cancer In St. Cloud

ST. CLOUD - Dozens of teams, hundreds of people and a lot of walking all to raise money and awareness for cancer.

The Relay For Life of Greater St. Cloud took over the track at Apollo high school for the event. The beginning of the ceremonies started at 5:00 p.m. with the first people to walk around the lap starting at 6:00 p.m.

Most who get involved with Relay For Life have in one way or another had their lives affected by cancer.

MC for the event and one of the organizers Lisa Marquis. She says her story is no different.

"I started doing this 20 years ago when my mom had gone through her second round of cancer. This has really impacted my family immensely. My youngest daughter was really little when her grandma died and is mad that she never got to know her grandma."

Marquis's story is like many others who's lives have been affected by cancer. Even though cancer created a lot of pain for her family, Lisa, her two daughters and granddaughter all come to Relay For Life to continue on their Moms/Grandmothers fight with cancer.

She also says she will continue volunteering until their is a cure for cancer.

"They don't have cure yet so I have to continue. I do a lot to help but there are so many amazing people on this team and they are amazing and help me to want to continue."

Angie Thaxton is the Community Development manager for Relay For Life. She says they have big hopes for this years Relay.

"We are hoping to have 500-600 people for the event tonight and raise around $140,000.00."

People are walking around the track at the school from 6:00 p.m. until Midnight. Some of the laps even have themes like a western theme or the PJ lap where you can dress up in your favorite pair of pajamas.

One of the larger financial contributions came from the Sauk Rapids-Rice School District as they raised just over $40,000.00.

Relay For Life raises money for the American Cancer Society.