GREENFIELD — As the city slept on Friday night, 195 people walked laps at the Franklin County Fairgrounds to support their loved ones with cancer.

Participants convened over two days for Relay For Life of Franklin County, an international event that honors cancer survivors and remembers those lost to the disease. Attendees take turns walking around a track to show support for those who have been affected by cancer while also raising money for the American Cancer Society’s life-saving cancer research and programs. They raised more than $79,000 by the time the event finished, with the goal of raising $100,000 by August.

The event has its roots back in 1985, when Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt walked for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Thirty-seven years later, Relay For Life events with the same model are held across the country.

People living all over the county come back year after year to participate in the event, building teams of their friends, families, work groups and churches. Most join Relay For Life for their lost loved ones.

“We don’t want anybody to be forgotten,” said Greenfield resident Carolyn Heiden.

Heiden is part of the “Wishing Wiles We Work” team organized by Wendy Wiles. Both Wiles’ and Heiden’s husbands died of cancer. The men were best friends and the two women walk together in their honor.

Heiden said she doesn’t stay out all night, but she makes sure to take a lap by herself to memorialize the people she has lost.

The track used for the event is lined with luminaria, which are lit at 9 p.m. Each light is dedicated to a specific person affected by cancer.

“I am getting goosebumps from everyone being together,” said Northfield resident Andy Helgerson. “Hope is not lost when you are here.”

Helgerson, part of the new team “Heaven Helps Me,” was on the track with five people from his church, the Green River Bible Church. His wife, Amanda, is a three-time cancer survivor and he explained faith is important for his family’s healing.

While there were several teams organized through churches on the field, many teams came together through other means. The Greenfield High School cross-country team stayed out all night running in honor of teammates, alumni and family members of teammates who are fighting cancer.

Cross-country coach Stuart Elliott said the team started participating in Relay For Life in 2008 during an emotionally difficult season when many of the students’ family members were living with cancer. They ran with about 15 people this year, including alumni who came back for the event, getting in the most miles of any team on the track.

Families, such as the team called The Johnson Clan, participated, too. Shelburne resident Laura Manners said The Johnson Clan comes to the event on the fairgrounds to feel empowered when they are grieving from the many family members lost.

Manners noted Relay For Life isn’t the only event that has drawn support for her family’s battles with cancer. Her husband, Bob Manners, who was recently diagnosed with lymphoma, was the beneficiary of a baked potato fundraiser last month that quickly sold out.

Buckland resident Rita Deyo felt a similar level of support from Relay For Life. She is part of the 12-person team “Stars of Hope” and walks in honor of her husband, who died 11 years ago.

“If we can walk and raise money to save just one person,” Deyo said, “this event is all worth it.”

Franklin County’s Relay For Life has seen fewer numbers in attendance since the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, there were upwards of 100 teams, whereas 31 teams participated this year. Event Co-Chair Sue Pennison said organizers are trying to build the event back up and want to remind the Franklin County community “this event is for you.”

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.

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