As the clouds parted and the sun shone down over Mount Si, more than 200 people gathered for the 2016 Snoqualmie Valley Relay for Life Saturday, July 9, at Tollgate Farm Park in North Bend. Relay for Life, a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, brings together survivors, family members and caregivers to honor those affected by cancer.

Bev Jorgensen, chairperson for the Snoqualmie Valley Relay for Life, has been involved with the event for almost a decade and has been the event lead for three years. When the Relay started on Saturday afternoon, the total amount of money raised had reached just over $86,000. As of Tuesday, July 12, that total is $98,636.86.

“Relay for Life is really a community event because everybody, one way or another, has been touched by cancer,” Jorgensen said. “We come together as a Relay committee to bring the community in and honor our survivors and caregivers and continue fighting cancer until we don’t have cancer anymore. When we started, we were a little over $86,000. Our goal this year is $100,000 so we feel confident we will make that goal.”

Jorgensen began the event with a speech about the meaning and purpose of Relay for Life and recognized the volunteers, sponsors and fundraising support the group received this year.

She also brought up cancer survivor Teresa Warren to share her story and talk about the importance of the event to her.

“I came here and was surrounded by other survivors,” Warren said. “When we walked our first lap, I looked back and there were people with 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 years (signs). That was a pretty amazing sight to see. It really means a lot to be surrounded by people like that.”

As for Jorgensen, she became involved in Relay for Life after her parents died from cancer and to support her friends. The people she has met and the friends she has made have only amplified her desire to be a part of the program.

“When I started Relay it was just to support friends, but I lost both of my parents to cancer many years ago and I see an opportunity to really fight. We are among people who have the same goal, the same understanding,” Jorgensen said.

“As I got more involved with Relay I have many close friends that I lost to cancer and I have several close friends that I’ve celebrated because they fought cancer and won. Each one of those gives me more drive to keep it going.”

While the Relay itself may be over, donations will be accepted until Aug. 28. Online donations can be made at www.snovalleyrelay.org.

Planning for next year’s event will begin in October.

Jorgensen has seen the event grow over the years and wants to encourage even more people to get involved for next year.

“We work all year to get ready. It’s a hard, fun job and very rewarding. We love it. We love seeing the successes, we celebrate, we cry, we laugh,” she said. “Be involved, show up, be a part of it. Don’t be afraid.”

For more photos of the event visit: http://ow.ly/ZhEo302bvVc