Hundreds of friends, family members and survivors gathered at the Nansemond River High School track on Saturday to walk during Relay for Life of Suffolk.

The Suffolk Relay was held from noon to 10 p.m. in Saturday’s sweltering spring heat, but people kept doing laps around the track. It was one of more than 2,500 Relay events held nationwide by the American Cancer Society annually to raise money and support cancer survivors and their caregivers, according to relayforlife.org/suffolkva.

“Relay is about celebrating our survivors, remembering those we’ve lost, and coming together to raise funds (and) help find a cure,” said Relay for Life of Suffolk Event Lead Dana DeFreeuw.

The theme for this year’s Relay is “Passport for a Cure — Relay around the World.” Many of the different themed laps at the beginning and end of each hour on Saturday featured music from different countries — courtesy of DJ Jay Daum, who dressed as a pilot for his second year volunteering at the Suffolk Relay.

Along with the variety of themed laps were various concessions and activities, including Knockerball. There were plenty of vendors and teams supported by about 50 volunteers, according to DeFreeuw.

“We had a ton of volunteers this year that made our job very easy,” she said.

One of this year’s teams was Lakeland High School’s “Cavs for a Cure.” The LHS students got started right at noon selling desserts from around the world, according to LHS art teacher and team sponsor Angela White.

The team held numerous fundraising events this school year, including a silent auction of roses for Valentine’s Day and another fundraiser for St. Patrick’s Day. They also provided gift baskets and served meals at the Relay for Life of Suffolk Survivors Reception at the Planters Club on May 8.

“Cancer affects families, friends, neighbors,” White said. “It doesn’t have an age, and we all have loved ones that have been touched by cancer.”

On Saturday afternoon, women of the Martha 115 Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star walked in memory of loved ones they lost to cancer, including member Nitashua Tyson, who lost both of her parents to this terrible disease.

“It means a lot to me to walk for my mom and dad,” she said alongside her fellow members that walked for loved ones. “We come out every year to honor their memories.”

There were also survivors on Saturday like Wayne Hoffman, 47, who has been free from testicular cancer for two decades. According to Hoffman, “every day is a gift.”

“It’s just good to be alive. It’s a gift (and) a blessing,” Hoffman said.

As of Monday evening, approximately $65,882 has been raised towards this year’s $150,000 fundraising goal, which will continue through August. Visit relayforlife.org/suffolkva for donations and other information.