Karen Hezlep stands with other survivors while listening to students from the Goddard School sing "God Bless America" at the beginning of the Relay for Life of Greater Cranberry Township at North Boundary Park on Saturday. "It's such a supportive day," said Hezlep, who is now breast cancer free. "You go home saying, 'Oh, yeah, I'm not the only one who has to deal with this.'" Joseph Ressler/Butler Eagle 6/25/22

CRANBERRY TWP -- The first Relay for Life held by the merged Butler Relay for Life and Cranberry Township Area Relay for Life celebrated those who have triumphed over cancer and lovingly remembered those whose battles have ended, all while raising funds to slow the spread of the disease and help those who have been diagnosed.

Still named the Relay for Life of Greater Cranberry Township, the event was held all day and evening on Saturday on an athletic field at North Boundary Park in Cranberry Township.

Amy Fuller, Relay event lead, welcomed the survivors, caregivers, family members, donors and community members who attended the event at its noontime start.

Fuller wore the purple T-shirt afforded only those who have survived cancer treatment, explaining that at last year’s Relay, she had undergone four chemotherapy treatments for two forms of breast cancer, and faced 12 more chemo and 20 radiation sessions at that time.

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