CRANBERRY TWP — The 12th annual Relay for Life of Greater Cranberry Township this weekend raised its goal of $145,000 for cancer research.

“This is to celebrate and fight back,” said Becky Wiley, a co-leading organizer of the event.

There were 463 registered participants at North Boundary Park. Teams walked for 24 hours to help raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.

They raised slightly more than $100,000 before the walk began Saturday morning.

“It’s a party with a purpose,” said Liz Peterson, the other leading organizer. “That purpose is to end cancer.”

Both Wiley and Peterson said they got involved with the relay after seeing friends and family members diagnosed with the disease.

“I don’t want to see another person have cancer,” Wiley said.

Both said planning the event is a yearlong process.

“We’ll do a wrap-up next week, then start again for next year,” Wiley said.