The rain stayed away Friday for the 2013 Relay for Life held at the Cherokee County High School Football Stadium.

Teams walked the track to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The event began with the Survivor and Caregiver laps.

Just after 9 p.m. the Luminaria Ceremony was held to honor and remember loved ones who have battled cancer.

Shortly thereafter, family member lit sky lanterns, which dotted the night sky over the stadium like stars.

According to preliminary numbers, this year’s event has raised 43 to 44-thousand dollars, including an amazing 2-thousand during Friday’s event alone.

More money is expected to be collected between now and the August 31st deadline.

Funds raised through Relay for Life activities are used to help those in our community with such things as paying for travel to and from treatment, and accommodations for patients and their family members at the Hope Lodge in Birmingham – and of course a great deal of money is needed for on-going research in the effort to combat cancer.