Cancer survivors were celebrated and others who lost their battle with the dreaded disease were remembered during this year’s Relay For Life activities, held April 27 at Washington High School.

The event typically draws 200 or more survivors, who are joined by hundreds of supporters, according to event chair Marie Rice.

“I’ve been involved since 1998, so this is 20 years for me,” Rice noted. “I started doing this in honor of my sister, who died with cancer when she was 44 years old.”

Relay For Life is actually a yearlong event that raises awareness of cancer and promotes fundraising efforts to provide money for cancer research. Throughout the area, local churches, schools, civic groups and individuals work tirelessly while hosting bake sales, dinners, color fun runs, raffles and other activities.

Each year, fundraising efforts kick off in early September and run through the following August, according to Bennita Dunham, a representative of the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society.

Last weekend’s big celebration included games, laps around the track, food sales, a luminary ceremony and other festivities. The theme was “Carnival For A Cure.” Guest speaker was Dr. John Inzerillo, medical director of medicine oncology at the Marion Shepard Cancer Center/Vidant Beaufort Hospital in Washington.