With cancer being one of the leading causes of death in our country, CBS 11 New has made a commitment to keep you informed about cancer information and events. On Friday, the American Cancer Society put on their annual Relay for Life, at Wendler Middle School.

Well into hour number four of this 24-hour Relay for Life event CBS 11 News took a look. Teams from all across Anchorage were camping out, with at least one team member on Wendler Middle School's track team always present. There is really so much emotion, and so many stories, behind the event.

Alaska cancer survivors, including breast cancer survivor, Jennifer Fielder, marched forward on the Wendler Middle School track.

"Walking away from the disease that 20 years ago

killed people," said Fielder.

From remembering those who lost their cancer battle, to those who have survived, this relay does something quietly remarkable: uniting folks who simply want to celebrate life.

In that spirit Mrs. Alaska, a cancer survivor herself, pledged to walk all 24 hours.

"I'm just saying you're sick and you're weak and you have cancer. And things don't look like they're going to get any better. Definitely walking for 24 hours when you're healthy is nothing compared to that," said Mrs. Alaska America, Michelle Martin.

But the Relay for Life goes beyond survivors walking.

"I'm walking for my aunts. My cousins. My uncle," said June Fernandez.

"My son Cole is walking. His friend Ian Robins in school died from cancer last year," said Mike Johnson.

Relay for Life represents a hope those who lost their cancer battle will never be forgotten.

"Oh I don't know, it makes me feel closer," said Fernandez.

Describe that to me. What do you mean?

"Well, it feels like they're walking with me," said Fernandez.

Those who face cancer will be supported.

"Just something I could do for them. Since I can't be sick for them," said Isabel Sanchez who is walking for a coworker.

They walk in the hope that one day cancer will be eliminated.

"...what an awesome thought. I didn't feel strong enough to come here when I had a different hairdo. And yet, I see women on the track with their scarves. And wow, they're my hero," said Fielder.

The inner ring of the track used for the walk was filled with bags, called lumininarias. Alaskans honored their loved ones by writing special messages either in honor of a survivor, or in memory of someone who lost their battle. The lumininarias were filled with sand and lit in memory of those folks. Money was not raised solely from the actual walk. Funds raised from food purchased at the event, such as reindeer tacos and snow cones, all went to cancer

research.

Once the race wrapped-up on Saturday, race officials say the event raised an estimated 70,000 dollars this year. Mrs. Alaska walked the whole 24-hour period.

To contact Matthew, call 907-273-3186.