As the bright, blue sky faded to evening on May 1, the crowd attending the 2015 Relay for Life was just getting started.

Teams from across the area assembled on the field at Russellville’s football stadium and began their adventures of raising funds for the American Cancer Society, but also hope for those diagnosed.

“It is really great to see people come out year after year in support of one another,” Relay for Life area specialist Anna Duncan said. “This is always a great event and this evening is no different.”

Duncan said across the region of northwest Alabama the total numbers were up this year.

“This is one of the best years we’ve had in a while, and I’m so glad to see people out supporting such a great cause,” Duncan said.

The evening kicked off with musical entertainment by Joel Aldridge and SRX before the opening ceremony and invocations.

The event was highlighted by the Survivor’s Lap and the Luminary Ceremony, which are always special times of celebration and remembrance for those who have battled cancer or who have a loved one who has battled cancer.

Survivors make their way around the track at Russellville’s football stadium during the 2015 Relay for Life event on May 1.

The Survivor’s Lap consisted of a wide range of those battling cancer including Karley Welborn, 14, a student at Phil Campbell who was diagnosed with non-Hodgkins lymphoma last year. Welborn has been cancer free since Jan. of this year.

Welborn helped to lead the survivors around the stadium’s track for the Survivor’s Lap.

Duncan said that the Relay for Life event is important for those of all ages who are dealing with cancer.

“When someone who was recently diagnosed can come out and see people who have battled and beaten cancer for 20 or 30 years, it can really have a powerful effect,” Duncan said.

Belinda Johnson, one of the event’s directors, said she also loved giving out awards to those teams and individuals who are dedicated to the event and to the fight against cancer.

“That’s how I got involved,” Johnson said. “By coming out to this event and seeing the support from the community, it helped me feel stronger about my situation. It is a great thing to see all of the support each year.”

Those diagnosed and battling cancer were not the only ones recognized at the Relay for Life event. Caregivers were recognized for the effort and dedication that they display on a daily basis.

Johnson told the crowd that sometimes caregivers are working just as hard battling the disease as those with it.

Johnson said planning will soon begin for next year’s Relay and she hoped more people in the community would choose to take an active role in the event.

“I wish we could get the area businesses and churches interested in Relay again and that we knew what the community would like to see out of Relay to make it something everyone looks forward to attending,” Johnson said. “We would like to see the event to continue to grow.”

Duncan echoed the sentiments.

“This was a great year for the event, but we always want to work with the community and continue to grow,” Duncan said.

The evening continued with entertainment from Waywhilago before the luminary ceremony. That ceremony, a somber moment for those in attendance, allowed those who have lost a loved one to cancer to reflect and remember the reason for the event and the fundraising.

During the luminary ceremony the lights of the stadium were turned off, a rendition of Auld Lang Syne was played over the speakers, and those in attendance huddled together and stood solemnly for a few minutes in order to reflect and remember those they had lost to cancer.