SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Last weekend's Relay for Life didn't just raise funds for cancer research, it raised the hopes of those going through treatment and of those recently diagnosed with cancer, according to cancer survivor Rosanna Strong.

She said leaving the doctor's office after being diagnosed with cancer can be a pretty hopeless affair.

From left, Emma and Christina Johnson, 11 and 9, count the laps their team accomplished at the Relay for Life event last weekend. - Andrew Livingstone/NNSL photo

"Just to see people who have come out on the other side and are now moving away from that, that's hopeful and that gives people strength, so I was happy to be a part of that," said Strong, who underwent a year of treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer in January 2008.

Nearly 500 Yellowknifers set up camp on the William McDonald track last Friday night to take turns walking or running from 7 p.m. until 7 a.m. Saturday, to raise funds for cancer research and patient support.

Event organizer Bianca Jorgenson said the Canadian Cancer Society's Yellowknife branch's biggest annual event went well.

"We were excited that we beat our goal," she said, as donations totalled $135,280 Monday morning, besting their goal of $127,000.

Last year, the event raised about $142,000.

"We had 41 teams, 30 survivors and 30 caregivers attend this year," she said, adding 483 people participated in total.

"(We had) just amazing community support, where everyone comes together for one night. It's like a giant camp-out with your close friends," she said.

As for the drizzly weather, Jorgenson preferred to look on the bright side. She said walkers and runners didn't have to worry about getting sunburned.

"It could have snowed," she laughed.

Jorgenson said participants were encouraged to dress up in costumes this year. She said she participants dressed as fairies or rainbows, with some wearing "decorated bras."

"It was fun and a little interesting," she laughed.

Strong's team, Rosie's Rainbows, raised $14,362 - the most of any group - and each member dressed in a different colour of the rainbow.

"I was the pot of gold," she laughed.

Strong said she's doing better now, but hasn't yet been declared cancer-free as that is not done until the cancer has been gone for five years.

"I've finished all my treatments, so I'm just learning with dealing, with surviving," she said.

She's grateful for the support from family and friends through her fight.

"They were just a tower of strength to lean on over this past year."

Those same people showed up at 4 a.m. with muffins and coffee to help her during the event.

"Now that's true friendship there," she said.

Jim Simon, with the Canadian Cancer Society in Winnipeg, even made the trip North for the event.

"Halfway through my treatments, he said 'you get through this and I'll fly up and be part of your team for Relay For Life," said Strong.

She said she saw many familiar faces, from survivors to those in treatment, to those recently diagnosed.

"There were a few people I knew who were actually going through treatments; their cancer had come back. They were in good spirits and they were funny and sarcastic, but very determined to stay on this side of the grass," she laughed.

Tim Riviere, a Grade 5 student at Range Lake North school, raised more than $3,200 by shaving his head for the cause last week.

"He ended up being the top youth fundraiser all on his own," said his mom, Heather.

One Yellowknifer stayed on the track all night.

"He went all 12 hours," said Trudy Wisnoski, of teammate Peter Rice.

"He walked 64.4 km. He never left the track for anything. There's a bit of willpower there," she said.

Wisnoski said Rice, a Great Slave helicopters employee only ate a banana in the morning, and an apple during the night.

"He sure made us proud," she said, adding all 11 "Rotorheads" stuck it out overnight.

The money raised will go towards patient financial assistance programs such as patient travel and the patient navigator program.

"The biggest part of where the money goes is to research," said Jorgenson. "The money definitely goes to the right places."

Strong said people don't realize what charitable groups like the Canadian Cancer Society do until they actually go through the process.

"You know they do good work but until you are actually given that cancer card and are involved in the process, and the treatment you are getting is a result of that research, that's when it hits you," she said.

"My survivorship is going to be that much more because of the research that is done and the treatment that they have. It's not a death sentence anymore."