Both Butler and Cranberry Township hosted Relay for Life marathons during the weekend to raise money and awareness for charity.

Relay for Life is an overnight fundraising walk in which teams of participants take turns walking around a track. Each team has at least one member walking at all times over the 24-hour period.

The event is organized by the American Cancer Society, which is celebrating its 100th birthday as an organization this year.

At the Butler Farm Show grounds on Saturday, nearly 300 people marched around the track starting Saturday and ending on Sunday.

It was the 21st year the event was held in Butler and the third year it was held at the Farm Show grounds.

“Relay for Life is a great way for communities to fight against cancer,” said Kristen Nuss, an event organizer with the American Cancer Society. “There isn't anyone who hasn't been touched by cancer in some way.”

About 25 teams participated in the event this year.

“We're one of the oldest relays in the state,” said Leeann Cramer, the event co-chair. “Last year we raised over $60,000 and we're hoping to raise at least that much this year.”

Fundraising for the event lasts through the beginning of August. More than $35,000 was raised before the event started.

Last year the event hit the $1 million lifetime total for Butler.

But Cramer said the event was about more than just raising money.

“It's an incredibly important event,” she said. “It gives hope to people and gives a support group to people. “

Shelly Manning of Hooker was the team leader for Gloria's Angels, a team named after her mother who is a two-time cancer survivor.

“My husband's had like five people in his family die and I've had three,” Manning said. “So this is a near and dear event to my heart. As far as I'm concerned I'm not going to stop walking until they find a cure.”

Gloria's Angels had about 25 people in the team, sharing time throughout the 24 hour walk.

“We don't sleep,” Manning said. “Our team does not sleep. We walk all night.”

Amanda Knapp of Saxonburg was walking for the team Pageantry with Purpose.

It was her first year at the event, which she said was important in helping to find a cure for cancer.

“I think cancer has touched everyone,” Knapp said. “More people need to be aware of the ways they can help.”

In Cranberry Township, the Relay for Life celebrated its 10th year by reaching the million-dollar lifetime mark.

Nearly 40 teams and 600 people filled the track at North Boundary Road Park to partake in the milestone.

Amy Fuller of Cranberry helped start the event 10 years ago. She was thrilled about the milestone they reached in only a decade, but also emphasized the event is about much more than money.

“We're raising awareness of what American Cancer Society is doing in the fight against cancer,” she said. “It's so much more than just raising money.”

Fuller, whose father is a cancer survivor, helped create the Cranberry relay after moving to the area.

“I participated in relays where we used to live and when we moved here I felt relay homeless,” she said.Fuller said the time she put in over the past decade has been well worth it.“It's been an absolutely amazing experience,” she said. “My family has grown to be hundreds of people. We've all been touched by cancer in some way.”Jill Matos, the event chairman, said this year's event was special beyond the anniversary and fundraising milestone because they were part of the ACS's third Cancer Prevention Study.“Being able to be part of that research is just a huge thing,” she said.Participants in the study stopped by the tent set up by the ACS to get a blood sample and complete a survey. The ACS then tracks your health through periodic surveys for 20 years.“It's exciting people can leave here today and know that you're part of this research,” she said.Matos has been involved with the relay for the past five years. She joined up after losing three family members to cancer.“There's so much healing that comes through Relay for Life,” she said. “You get to talk to other people going through the same experiences. Whether a survivor or people that have lost a loved one — you can find someone you can relate to.”Andrea Thomas of Cranberry was there leading her team of more than 30 people from Cranberry Heights, supporting two neighbors, a little girl and adult man, that were diagnosed with cancer two years ago.“We decided to come together as a neighborhood family to fight against it,” Thomas said. “I think it is a wonderful, moving experience to see all these people come together for a cause.”Thomas said the event is a great way for people to help bring awareness to a disease that affects so many people.“It's a way to celebrate those who have survived, remember those who have lost their lives, and to fight back against this awful disease.”