NILES — It would take more than a little rain to discourage Sue and Roy Smothermon from walking in the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life Saturday, at the Apple Festival Grounds.

As large drops began to fall from the sky, Sue held a mock torch high in the air as she and Roy completed another lap. For the Edwardsburg couple, participating in the event annually – rain or shine – is just another way they can help to defeat cancer, they said. 

The Smothermons were not alone in their mission. They joined 23 total teams in helping to raise money for the American Cancer Society and fund local programs during the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life.

This year’s theme was based on the “Looney Tunes” and was called: “Toon Out Cancer, Tune in For a Cure.” Teams that signed up to participate in the event helped to raise money for the cause and walked from 10 a.m. to midnight to raise awareness. 

There were also plenty of activities and games to engage those who visited the event. Including a “Ninja Warrior-style” obstacle course and a Road to Recovery Race, where competitors designed cars from cardboard boxes and raced around the track with the goal to pick up and drop off a person acting as a cancer patient at treatment. Traditional events also took place, including the Survivors’ Walk – a celebratory lap for those who have beat cancer — and the Luminary Ceremony, which remembers those who died from cancer.

Event leader Suzie Hipshear said she was happy with this year’s turnout, which saw two more teams than the previous year joining the fight.

“We have a lot of spirited teams and decorations,” Hipshear said.

Hipshear has taken part in the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life for 18 years. She was first inspired to join the cause when her brother-in-law, Ron Teichmer, was diagnosed with renal cancer in 2000. Teichmer later died from the disease and year-round, Hipshear said she remembers his fight. It was a fight her daughter, Chelsea Hipshear, would also face when she turned 16 and was diagnosed with two types of thyroid cancer. Chelsea, now 24, has been cancer free for the past eight years. Like her mom, Chelsea, who serves as the survivor chair, and has also been a fixture at the annual Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life.

For Hipshear, the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life, offers a support network and the feeling that volunteers are enacting change. 

“It helps you heal from everything. It gives you something you can do,” Hipshear said. “You can’t bring them back. You can’t make everybody well, but at least you can fight to make it so fewer people are taken away from us.”

As they continued their walk around the track, Sue and Roy Smothermon said they felt similar to Hipshear. The couple first started participating in Relay for Life 10 years ago.

“You get the satisfaction of raising money and helping the bigger picture,” Roy said. “The battle is still ongoing.”

By noon Saturday, Hiphshear said the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life had raised $21,000 so far. Because Relay for Life is one of many fundraisers throughout the year, the ultimate goal is to raise $50,000 before this year’s campaign ends Aug. 31. 

For those who visited or supported the event, Hipshear thanked them for helping to beat cancer one step at a time.

“We are grateful for every single person that comes out for any minute that they are here,” Hipshear said.