Community attends Relay for Life

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - The 20th annual Relay for Life is in full swing.

It's an event that raises awareness and funds to help support cancer research for the American Cancer Society.

The event also shows those fighting the battle that they're not alone.

One by one, much of the community files in to show their support.

"I'm cancer free, I went through two surgeries, and 30 radiation treatments and 18 chemos," Cancer survivor Mike Hakeem said.

"It's totally different when you walk through the door, it's not like a stranger, you're greeting everybody like family," Cancer survivor Dawn Smith said.

Decked in purple, Jamie Witt-Cox and her daughter were both diagnosed with Retinoblastoma when they were babies.

They're both cancer free, but Jamie's father lost the battle.

"Just to be able to have community support and get funding that some other people may not have to go through what we did, you know, eventually, hopefully, that's our hope for the years to come," Witt-Cox said.

Folks like them were all there to fight back through one of Wabash Valley's biggest fundraisers.

"Cancer doesn't sleep, we're not going to take a rest either, we know we have to fight all hours," American Cancer Society Community Representative Rachel Romas said.

"When I wake up every morning I just thank God for another day of life. And it's not a given for me, but I'm grateful to have it, " Hakeem said.

Some will last as long as they can in this 12 hour relay.

Others will go as long as their bedtimes will allow.

"9 o'clock we might make it until then we have to see how it goes," Witt-Cox said.

It's an event that helps us remembering back how far we've come and those who didn't make it, while looking forward, in hopes of changing the future.

Walkers and runners will keep moving while we're all sleeping.

The event goes through 6 a.m. Sunday morning.