AUBURN - Not everyone could attend the Relay for Life held by the American Cancer Society at Holland Stadium.

But their footprints were there with every loved one that stepped along the gravel of the East Middle School track Friday night.

“I'm here for the memory of Donnie Hopkins. Donnie was one of my best friends,” said Marcia Butler. “It's a happy night, to help people survive cancer.”

That was the conviction present at the event, where tears mixed with chilled rain and more than enough emotions to fill the steel bleacher benches that were left empty above the community of those that filled the playing field. More than 40 teams, comprised of supporters and those diagnosed with cancer, gathered to present funds they had raised since February, and to rally in defiant optimism for a cure.

“There are family teams, business teams, all different teams. Most of them have been affected by cancer,” said Nance Rifanburg, special events director. “This a thank-you party, with music, games and activities.”

Beginning at 6 p.m., the teams were to camp through the night, barbecuing, periodically walking the track and participating in such ceremonies as the lighting of hundreds of honorary luminary candles around the quarter-mile track.

There would also be more than a little irreverence involved.

“It is a very happy event. It's a family event: there'll be games, peppy things to do - including a volleyball tournament in the middle of the night,” Rifanburg said.

First to circle the stadium were a band of cancer survivors. Like soldiers back from a war, survivors of all ages were celebrated as they slowly paraded past those still fighting the disease. A banner was carried by those walking in front, proclaiming “I Am A Survivor.”

Completing the walk, friends Barbara Switzer and Mary Franchina, both of Auburn, were deeply moved by the experience.

“I had breast cancer in 2000. And I lost the other breast in 2001,” said Switzer, advising those fighting the disease that they can win.

“Have faith, faith, faith, faith,” Franchina said. “You can make it.”

As a result of funded research, it was underscored at the event that two thirds of cancer is preventable. Also that the death rate of breast cancer has decreased by 20.8 percent from 1991 to 2000.

In addition, 70 percent of all children diagnosed with cancer survive the first five years.