Sandy Phillips, left, was the honorary chairman for Relay For Life. Her daughter, Sasha Phillips, right, served as chairman.

QUITMAN – Cancer is a scary word and people do not usually associate joy and celebration when it is mentioned.

But there were plenty of smiles and good feelings to go around Saturday during the Clarke County Relay For Life which was held here at the Archusa Creek Water Park.

Relay started with the survivors of cancer being recognized. In Clarke County, survivors are asked to sit in the bleachers during the opening ceremonies. They filled two of bleachers this year.

Sandy Phillips, a nine-year survivor of skin cancer, was honored as the 2017 honorary chairman. She discussed her disease which started with a small blue spot on her shoulder. Before she was done, she had three surgeries and six weeks of radiation treatment.

“I urge everyone to take precautions and if you see something unusual, get it checked,” said Phillips, who dyed her hair Relay purple for the occasion. “Cancer runs in my family. My grandparents and my parents have had cancer. I go for checkups every six months.”

Following the opening ceremonies, the survivors walked the first lap of Relay For Life. They were then joined by their caregivers and friends. While it was a time to smile and celebrate their personal victories over cancer, it was also a time to remember those who lost their lives to the dread disease. Families and friends of the victims of cancer purchased the luminaries that surround the track with their loved one’s name written on it.

This is the 20th year Clarke Countians have gathered for Relay For Life. Relay is a community based fundraising event of the American Cancer Society. Each year, more than 5,000 Relay For Life events take place in over twenty countries according to Wikipedia.

Clarke County raised $72,346 last year for the American Cancer Society. Their goal for this year is $75,000.

Leading the effort were nine teams formed for Relay. In recent months, they raised money in various ways. Each set up “campsites” around the track at Relay on Saturday. Members walked on the track while each team sold food, crafts, tickets for the kid zone, and gave pony rides to children. All proceeds went to Relay For Life.

Sasha Phillips of Stonewall served as this year’s Relay chairman. Sandy, her mom, was the honorary chairman.

“It was so good to see those belchers filled today with survivors,” Sasha said. “My family knows about cancer. But as long as we turn to God for everything, we can survive and make it through difficulties, even cancer.”

Relay started at 11 a.m. and went until 7 p.m. with entertainment and various food items provided through most of the afternoon.