Cancer touches us all. In today's modern world, one in three people will be diagnosed with cancer sometime during their lifetime. In the core of such fierce despair one can find inspiration to act, assist, and fight back.

On the night of June 6, dozens of local citizens who have been affected by cancer joined together at Lone Peak High School to honor and celebrate those who have survived cancer, as well as remember those who have lost their lives, by participating in the Northern Utah County Relay for Life.

The event began with a Survivor Lap to honor those who have personally battled cancer. As these brave individuals, including an uncle and nephew pair who are both battling brain cancer, walked around the track it was obvious how overwhelming the effects of cancer are.

However, Relay for Life is not an individual event, rather a team effort. Before the actual relay, families and friends joined together to form teams of 8-15 individuals, and set a goal to raise $100 for each team member.

Then at the relay, members of each participating team took turns running or walking around the track, committing to keep one person from each team on the track at all times.

Denise Jardine, the co-chair of the event said, "The relay represents that cancer never sleeps, we are always battling it."

In tandem with this sentiment, members of the 11 participating teams could be seen walking, running, and jogging all through the night of June 6 and into the morning of June 7 in an attempt to proclaim their desire to end cancer, to celebrate its defeat, and to honor those who lost their battle.

The Northern Utah Country Relay for Life also boasted all manner of entertainment with food, games for the kids, music, and even a raffle for gift baskets donated by local businesses.

At dusk another important part of the Relay for Life event, the luminaria ceremony, took place. A luminaria is a small, decorated bag with a candle placed inside which shines as a remembrance of cancer survivors and those lost to cancer. It was an unforgettable moment as the candles were lit, and participants joined together to turn their anguish into action.

In 2007 more than $1.6 million was raised at Relay for Life events throughout Utah as hundreds of people collectively celebrated survivorship and worked to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

With 860 teams and 20,000 people scheduled to attend the 2008 events in Utah, and a goal to raise $1.84 million, it's obvious that Relay for Life is a fundraising event that is determined not just to raise money, but to eliminate cancer.

Cancer is a disease that knows no bounds, but despite its overwhelming attack, the Relay for Life event served as a reminder to all of us that with determination, hope, and teamwork we may be able to eliminate cancer in its entirety.