Hundreds turned out at Greenbrook Park Friday evening to support cancer survivors and to remember those who lost their battle with the disease.
“We relay for many reasons,” said organizer Renee Cantrell about the 23rd annual Relay for Life event held for DeKalb County and Smithville this past Friday. “I had a daughter who died from cancer and lost a grandmother.”

Cantrell noted there are a number of reasons for the event besides fundraising. “We pay for the survivors tonight,” she said. “And thank God for this good weather.”

Many of those who died from cancer were memorialized in the annual liminary ceremony where their names are read aloud as candles, placed inside bags with their names on them, illuminated the night as the park fell silent for the reading.

Organizer Iva Dell Randolph, who has been working with the American Cancer Society since her mother died from cancer back in the 1980s, says Tennessee is a hotbed for research hospitals.

“The money we raise goes to cancer research,” she revealed. “More money comes back to our state than what we collect, by far.”
Nancy Young, who lost a father and sister-in-law to cancer praised the community for getting involved.

“We want to thank everyone for their donations and supporting Relay,” she said.

Friday night’s Relay included many activities and a wide variety of dining options. Music and entertainment went deep into the evening, the events beginning with the survivor walk where cancer survivors spoke about their battles and then joined together to walk around the park.