Advocates, cancer survivors raise money for cure at 'Relay for Life' event

Residents of the Plainview-Old Bethpage community walked all day and night Saturday to raise money for a cure for cancer and treatments in the "Relay for Life" event.
Participants walked by candlelight during the evening portion of the event. They walked to remember those who have been affected by cancer and, hopefully, to find a cure.
"They say it takes a village and I have my village here," said Amy Wynne, who was diagnosed with breast cancer in the fall. She will have surgery next Friday.
Wynne has participated the "Relay for Life" in years past, but on Saturday, she walked as a cancer patient for the first time.
She says the support was uplifting.
"Everybody -- all the supporters standing along the sidelines cheering -- it's amazing," Wynne enthused.
Nearly 800 participants, young and old, laced up for the Relay to raise money for cancer research and support.
"A penny donation is just as good as $1,000 donation in my opinion. Whatever you give, you give," said Brian Kohn, of Plainview.
Lilly Taylor's group, "The Life Savers," donated more than $1,000. They raised the money with small fundraisers at school.
"One in four deaths is caused by cancer, so it's important we raise money for a cancer and we can find a cure for this horrible disease," Taylor said.
Candle lights inside paper bags circled the track at the center of the event, each with a message or photo of a person who has been affected by cancer. There were more than 800, a number which participants said they hope to reduce in the future.
"Unfortunately, there are lot of bags. That's why we do what we do," said Jen Biren, of Plainview.
"Relay for Life" events are held all over Long Island and the world.
This one, organizers said, raised more than $76,000.