Cancer Survivors and those that want a cure will walk for 24 hours
TRAVERSE CITY, MI -- It represents the hope that those who have lost their lives to cancer will never be forgotten, those that have cancer will be supported, and one day, cancer will be eliminated.
Across the country today, communities took part in the Relay for Life 24-hour campaign.
This year, 67 teams, 500 participants, and over 1,500 supporters came out to the Traverse City Relay for Life Walk.
The walk began Saturday morning at 10, and will go through the night until 10 Sunday morning--with a mission of raising as much money as possible to raise awareness, advocacy, and money for the community.
"One of our committee models is don't be intimidated by the 24 hour commitment, if you have a dollar, if you have an hour, it's the heart behind the cause. We appreciate it, survivors here are going to appreciate it, and it's a life changing event, and in order to convey that, you have to come out and experience it," said Jeff Yacks, Relay for Life Event Chair.
"I want to find a cure in my lifetime. I come here and see all of my friends year after year after year, sometimes I only see them at Relay, but the connection that we've grown to have, the bond has gotten so strong, it just makes it worth it to come and say hi and so glad you can have another birthday," said Marjie Ruck, a two time cancer survivor.
She says this is the support that cancer survivors and those with cancer need.
The goal for this year's relay in Traverse City is to raise $80,000.
Saturday morning, they had 75 percent of this money raised.
