Eleven teams let their feet do the talking for them Friday night, walking laps in support of those who have suffered from cancer at the annual Relay For Life event at Tom Byrne Park.

But those teams — and countless residents in our community — were making strides long before Friday night as they raised nearly $57,000 to help fight cancer. The money, the bulk of it raised through the Celebrity Waiter event sponsored by First National Bank and Trust as well as Wind Creek’s Think Pink campaign, will support the American Cancer Society.

Each year, Relay for Life asks participants to remember those we have lost, to celebrate those fighting cancer and to fight back against the disease.

Nearly every one of us has been touched by cancer in some way, and perhaps that’s why Relay For Life makes such a big impression each year.

The American Cancer Society uses the money for projects as varied as wigs for those who have lost hair to chemotherapy to life-saving research that gives birthdays back to those with the disease.

We’re proud of every survivor, caregiver and team member who put on their sneakers Friday night to show support for the fight against cancer, and every community member who supported the event with their donations.