Correspondent photo / John Patrick Gatta As supporters cheered, cancer survivors walked a lap around the St. Demetrios Community Center parking lot to celebrate their victory over the disease during the Relay For Life event Friday evening in Warren. The relay encompassed participants from Trumbull, Mahoning and Columbiana counties.

WARREN — It might have been scaled back from a 24-hour event but the deep commitment to the cause remains just as strong.

Taking place Friday evening, Relay For Life brought cancer survivors and their supporters from Trumbull and Mahoning counties to St. Demetrios Community Center. The four-hour event, which raised funds for the American Cancer Society, celebrated those who battled and beat the disease, and honored those who did not.

“It’s an opportunity to get together with others that share a common ground — cancer survivor, caregiver, someone that lost a friend or family member to cancer,” said Relay For Life chairman Phil O’Hara.

“For the cancer survivors, it gives them an opportunity to share their stories with others that understand what they have gone through. For those that are still getting treatment, it gives them hope that they can beat this disease by seeing all those that have survived and flourished.”

A survivor himself, O’Hara dealt with prostate cancer nearly 15 years ago.

“Early detection was the key in my case. I was fortunate that it was caught very early and did not have any chance to spread,” O’Hara said.

He advised others to “get your regularly scheduled checkups or if you feel there might be a problem, get it checked before it turns into something more severe.”

According to the American Cancer Society’s (ACS) Cancer Facts & Figures 2026 report, more than 2.1 million new cancer cases, excluding nonmelanoma skin cancers, are projected to be diagnosed in the United States, with more than 626,000 cancer deaths.

Since 1985, Relay For Life has raised more than $6.8 billion to support the efforts to eradicate the disease as well as offer methods of support for patients and families.

O’Hara said this year’s fundraising goal was $75,000. On Sunday, he said the event raised $55,000, but that amount can increase as more teams turn in additional funds throughout the year.

Despite the seriousness of Relay For Life’s purpose, the event gave those affected by the disease an opportunity to interact and laugh with others.

A co-winner of the Frozen T-Shirt Contest, which involved unraveling a frozen, tightly wound article of clothing then putting it on, Tommy Jackson of Youngstown pointed out that he and Team Calvary, associated with Mount Calvary Pentecostal Church, are focused locally and internationally.

“We want to support all causes. One of our team members, her son has brain cancer. So, we’re here to support him and support all the families, not just in the Mahoning Valley, but around the world. We want to pray against these causes,” Jackson said.

Warren Mayor Doug Franklin congratulated all those in attendance for their determination to battle the disease.

“We walk for a lot of people, other than ourselves,” Franklin said, while also acknowledging the American Cancer Society, “Your efforts and our efforts with Relay For Life across this nation has made a significant impact in different diagnoses and treatments to bring this fearful disease to a halt. Cancer doesn’t rest and neither do we.”

Outback Steakhouse provided a meal while attendees won prizes by playing Relay-Opoly. The Relay organizers provided 23 raffle baskets with goods donated from local businesses while its newest participants — Team Rachael — set up another 18 raffle baskets.

Named after 46-year-old Rachael Fox of Mecca who was diagnosed with advanced ovarian cancer in December of 2024, and not expected to survive past eight months, she has had two surgeries as well as chemotherapy but, as Fox put it, “I’m still going strong.”

Nearly 60 supporters joined her at St. Demetrios for their first Relay For Life. Many went along with Fox during the survivors lap around the parking lot. “They’re amazing. They’re my backbone. I couldn’t ask for better,” she said.

Knowing Fox since childhood, two-time cancer survivor Edith Hall of Cortland was among those who took a photo with her. Hall had thyroid cancer in 1991 and breast cancer in 2016. While she had surgeries and 30 radiation treatments, she felt that it could have been worse.

“I feel fortunate. I did not have to go through chemo. I don’t feel like I battled like a lot of people, like Rachael,” Hall said.

Involved with Relay For Life since the 1990s, Hall not only supported Fox at the event but has been supportive throughout her battling the disease.

“I try to go visit her once a month. Sometimes, I take her out. She loves to go for ice cream up in the Amish Country. I’ve got to be doing that pretty soon with her. Let her know you’re praying for her, sending her little encouragements, notes, special little gifts. That means a lot to her,” Hall said.

The event ended on a somber note with the luminaria ceremony, which recognized a loved one lost, someone currently battling or who has overcome cancer.

Reading from an ACS booklet put together for this portion of Relay For Life, O’Hara read, “Cancer shows no preference. It strikes children, adults, family, coworkers and friends. Tonight, let’s pay tribute to those we love and all those whose lives have been touched by cancer.”