Over 300 people gathered on the lawn at Macungie Memorial Park to participate in the 15th annual East Penn Relay for Life 4 p.m. May 1 to 4 p.m. May 2. The overnight event was planned and staffed by volunteers in conjunction with the American Cancer Society.

"I know I have a passion for the cause and I really wanted to have a hand in it," Michelle Huzela, a volunteer coordinator for the event said.

For most participants, Relay for Life is not abstract philanthropy. Nearly everyone in the crowd has been touched by cancer on a tertiary level.

Mary Ann Grant, of Perkiomen, was diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer two years ago and is now in remission.

"My parents were checking out cemetery plots, my husband was taking out life insurance," she said.

Shelly Houpt, of Breingsville, who also helped coordinate the fundraiser, lost her grandmother to cancer in 2004.

Richard Hartenstine, of Allentown, lost his wife Linda only three weeks after her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Relay for Life is not a somber march laden with memories of departed loved ones, however.

"There are more Relays in the country than there are Walmarts," Eric McGaugheny explained, a full time American Cancer Society employee and himself a cancer survivor of 23 years. "It's kind of like the world's largest support group," he added.

The atmosphere of the East Penn Relay is less an overnight fundraiser and more of a community. Large canvas tents with grills to match flank the park, with smaller camping tents scattered between recreational vehicles. Participants grill and sell hot dogs (with obligatory sauerkraut) and pork barbecue.

Mike Elwert, the Relay's longtime DJ, blasts a bevy of classic rock and '80s classics from powerful speakers circling the track before a cover band arrives, a lively clamor dubbed "Under Pressure." The entire scene is reminiscent of a benign Burning Man, with charity instead of nudity.

"It's become a passion of ours," Jim Kirchner said, who personally lost a sister, Vickie, to cancer.

"I figured, I'm from a family of 13, we can put a team together."

Kircher's team "Changin' Fate with Feet" raised $25,220 for the American Cancer Society. A total of 312 participants operating across 23 different teams raised a total of $73,907.64. The Relay itself raised $12,000 over the weekend alone.

"The nice thing is a lot of the money that is raised locally, stays locally," Mary Ann Grant, who volunteers in Relay's Voices of Hope program, said.

The American Cancer Society has left a heavy footprint in the Lehigh Valley. The local chapter raises nearly $1 million annually which helps fund local programs.

The Road to Recovery program provides cancer patients with transportation to treatment.

Another program, Hope Lodge, provides patients and their caregivers with free lodging should their treatments take them away from their homes.

Look Better, Feel Better employs licensed cosmetologists to help female patients whose bodies are changing as a result of treatment.

The American Cancer Society relies on fundraisers such as East Penn's Relay for Life to fund these programs, staffed largely by volunteers.

"The most rewarding thing is seeing everyone come together and smile as they go around the track," Houpt said.