The Jefferson County Relay for Life joined in celebrating the 30th year of Relay for Life as an event as 38 teams gathered at Jefferson High School to raise funds and awareness.

According to Mary Ann Whittington, who worked registration at the event, there were nearly 400 walkers registered for the event.

Whittington, who has worked registration for the event for several years, has also been a regular Relay participant as well. Family members and friends who have battled cancer are her inspiration to continue to help with the cause.

Despite daunting heat on Saturday and storms that came in late in the evening, the relayers were passionate about what they were doing. Tents were set up around the track at Jefferson High where teams offered raffles and games to continue their fundraising efforts. More importantly, the booths were adorned with posters, photos and mementos to share why the walkers do what they do. Names and faces of cancer victims could be found at each stop.

Memories and laughter were shared among the walkers throughout the day, beginning with the Survivor Lap that took place just after opening ceremonies. A variety of themed laps including ‘backward lap,’ ‘P Js lap,’ ‘bubble lap’ and ‘crazy hat lap’ kept everyone awake and excited.

The annual Mr. Relay contest was again held as was a luminaria celebration with candles lit in honor and in memory of loved ones.

The fundraising goal for the event was $110,000, according to Penny Horner, regional community manager for Relay for Life. Prior to kick off of Saturday’s events, the teams had already raised more than $80,630.

“People can continue to give,” Horner said, by visiting the Relay for Life website and selecting Jefferson County. Teams, Horner said, have worked hard over the early part of the year hosting a variety of fundraisers to help with the continued fight to find a cure for cancer.

Judi Brunswick, who had been an honorary chair in the past, served as event chair for the 2015 Relay event. She was joined by Ginger Stanley, Chanti Davenport and Patty Ott.

Eva Palmer, a cancer survivor who has also lost family members to the disease, served as this year’s honorary chair.