Cancer survivors, caregivers, family members and supporters convened on J.F. Gregory Park on Friday night for Relay For Life of Richmond Hill and helped raise more than $42,000 to fight the battle against cancer.

“We’re all here for the same reason – to put an end to cancer,” said Varina Moser, a teacher at G.W. Carver Elementary School and announcer for the evening, in her opening address.

Amber Jones, a two-time cancer survivor, took the stage to thank everyone for attending and showing their support. Jones, who is also a teacher at Carver Elementary, battled Hodgkin’s lymphoma 12 years ago and was recently diagnosed with another form of cancer.

“I think it’s really awesome and I’m glad that everyone comes out and comes together to do this … everyone is effected by cancer in some way,” she said.

Fifty survivors kicked off Relay For Life as songs like “Gonna Fly Now,” better known as “Theme from Rocky,” and Tom Petty’s “I Won’t Back Down” blared on the loudspeakers while attendees cheered them on.

The survivors’ lap was followed by a caregivers’ lap and a kids’ lap. Relay continued on through the night until 7 a.m. Saturday morning.

Visitors enjoyed games, food and more at team booths. A percentage of proceeds from sales at each booth went towards teams’ fundraising goals.

For more, pick up a copy of the April 6 edition of the News.