Staff and students at Bear Creek Secondary School have had an emotional year, losing a staff member and a student to cancer.

On Friday, the school headed outdoors for Bear Creek’s Relay for Life to remember those they have lost and to do their part to help find a cure.

“There are a lot of people at this school who are really affected by cancer and so we want to do what we can to fight back,” said organizer and Grade 12 student Katie Penrice.

More than 400 people took part in the event that ran from 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. and raised funds for the Canadian Cancer Society.

The relay had teams of students take laps around the track. At least one member of each team had to be walking the track at anytime during the day. Many teams made the laps in groups, all wanting to do their part.

Students came in costume and cheered their teammates as they passed by on a lap. Tents were set up along the track for team members to take a break during the day.

Participants could also play a game of soccer or volleyball while not on the track and could enjoy live entertainment every half hour.

Organizer Connie Jingwei said though most of the day was all about fun, it included some “down time” for participants to reflect.

“At night we are going to have a luminary ceremony. We are going to put luminaries around the track and everyone can take a lap and remember their loved one.”

According to Penrice, as of Friday afternoon, teams had raised approximately $30,000.

“It’s really awesome because the first time we did this two years ago we raised $17,000. We have almost doubled that. It’s pretty incredible.”