Friday night was an emotional one for many Wareham residents as they celebrated the lives of those they had lost to cancer and pledged to fight back even more in the future.

"One person, hand in hand with another, can make a difference in the fight against cancer," said Carey Mellow of South Coast Center for Cancer Care to the group of Relay for Life participants. "We want to celebrate all of you here today."

The relay, which is held every year in support of the American Cancer society, drew almost 280 participants and 24 teams. Thousands of similar events are held in cities and towns all over the country. This year's Relay was held at Wareham Middle School.

The event had raised $55,932.70 before the Relay itself, with donations continuing to flow in for days afterwards.

Before the main relay commenced, cancer survivors and their caregivers walked in for a "Survivor Lap" around the track. Nancy Lederholm, who is both a caregiver and a survivor herself, was among those to walk the lap.

"It's really overwhelming when you're walking the Survivor Lap. It's such a great feeling. It really makes you feel like we can all make it together and find a cure," she said.

"Oh, I think it's wonderful," said participant Evelyn Barboza when asked her feelings on the event. "They've done a wonderful job here and I think it's great."

"It's so uplifting!" she added.