The 14th annual Relay for Life will take place Saturday, June 3 at Dennis Alley Park in Oak Bluffs.

Dozens of members of the Vineyard community circled around and around the high school track on Saturday, in groups or alone, for the annual Relay for Life of Martha’s Vineyard.

On Saturday and Sunday, over 100 participants comprising 15 teams took part in the annual Relay for Life cancer benefit. “It’s a great event to bring together people in the community,” said event chair Nicole Gazaille. “To honor those who are still fighting, and remember those that we’ve lost.”

On a cool, breezy day with nearly-summer sunshine, Islanders of all ages were in high spirits as they walked laps around the regional high school track Saturday. The annual walkathon is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

On Saturday, May 31, the 11th annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Martha’s Vineyard takes place at the MVRHS track. Participants will take turns walking around the track from 1 p.m. Saturday until 8:30 a.m. Sunday to celebrate cancer survivors, honor those who have lost the battle and raise awareness for cancer prevention.

The American Cancer Society held its Relay for Life benefit walk yesterday and last night at the MVRHS track. There were games, cotton candy, food and tents where walkers could rest and share their stories. All day and all night families and friends from every part of the community walked to raise money for the fight against cancer. They were also paying tribute, step by step in solidarity, to all those who have fought, or all still fighting, this disease.  

When the American Cancer Society’s fifth annual Relay for Life begins this afternoon, more than 400 walkers will take over the track at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School in Oak Bluffs to support patients in treatment for cancer, survivors of the disease and to honor the memory of those lost along the way.

Despite dismal weather conditions, the sixth annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Martha’s Vineyard raised more than $60,000 for cancer research and patient services in the walk through the night to help raise funds and cancer awareness.

Vineyard residents pride themselves on being tough. They brave cold, barren winters, prohibitively high gas prices and interminable summer crowds.

But those Islanders battling cancer are among the hardiest. They face high medical costs, uncomfortable ferry rides and long, painful drives to oncologists and radiation centers. Cancer engages them in emotional, physical and financial struggles each day.

There were children prancing around in angel costumes, families noshing on barbeque food and familiar tunes blasting from speakers. It was like one big Islandwide block party at the Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School track last Friday as Islanders gathered to celebrate life.

But all fell silent when Tammy King, chief organizer of the event, took the microphone to inaugurate Martha’s Vineyard Relay for Life’s ninth annual all-night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.