Team Crawford's Crusaders, from left, Denise Ratica, Kathy Eichner, Vicki Yon, cancer survivor Lisa Rider, and team captain Haley Ratica walk during the 26th annual Butler Relay For Life event Saturday.

The Butler Relay For Life was well on its way to exceeding the group's $80,000 goal going into today's event.

Eighteen teams with hundreds of participants gathered at the Butler Farm Show Grounds to raise funds and awareness, while paying tribute to those who lost their battle with cancer and honoring those who either beat the disease or are still fighting the good fight.

Megan Ratica, event lead, said teams had raised $77,811 at the start of the event, which is held every year as a culmination to the organization's yearly fundraising efforts.

“We are starting today higher than what we raised last year,” she said. In 2017, $75,000 was raised.

This years theme is “Game On! The Cure Starts Here” and included games for both kids and adults, as well as many other activities.

The Butler Relay For Life runs until 11 p.m. Saturday.