The American Cancer Society Relay for Life gives community participants across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember lost loved ones and fight back against the disease.

Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer.

A spirit of joy and celebration pervaded Macungie Memorial Park as cancer survivors, their caretakers and supporters packed the park to buy food and novelty items, walk the track, and for many, camp overnight to show support and raise funds to fight the disease. The campers stayed overnight to assure walkers would continuously be on the track for the whole duration of the May 2 and 3 event.

A survivors' lap around the track, a luminaria event at dusk May 2, and a "fight back" ceremony noon May 3 were among the highlights of the event.

Families and supporters of cancer survivors hosted tents with signs of support, sold food, held raffles and other creative ventures to raise funds to fight cancer.

A heart-warming part of the event occurred 7 p.m. May 2 after the survivors' ceremony held at the bandstand. Each cancer survivor was given a long-stemmed flower and set out around the park track to the strains of the victory theme from the movie "Rocky." Also given a flower and sent off in the opposite direction around the track, caretakers then met the survivors on the opposite side of the track.

Smiles and tears were copious as they met in the middle.