When a Renton woman decided to join the Renton Relay for Life 12 years ago, she was thinking of her brother who was diagnosed with throat cancer.

But before Claudia O’Neill made it to the track, she learned that she too had cancer.

“Just hearing those words is so scary, and I just want less people to hear those words,” she said of being diagnosed.

The fundraiser is an opportunity for those diagnosed to fight cancer beyond their own battle. The May 21-22 event has already raised about $92,000 and about 700 people have registered.

With a goal of $115,000, all of the money raised will go to the American Cancer Society to be used locally.

While camping out at Renton Memorial Stadium requires registration, you don’t have to register to participate. The event is open to the curious and generous until 10 p.m., May 21.

For many Relay for Life is also an opportunity to raise awareness.

When Julie Kawasaki was diagnosed with breast cancer, she decided to fundraise with her husband Cy.

The 35-year-old wanted to be visible to send a message, Cy Kawasaki said. “People needed to see that you can be young and have cancer.”

For ten years they raised money together, until she lost her battle last summer.

This will be the first year Kawasaki will walk the relay without her.

“The fight against cancer becomes personal,” Kawasaki said. “It’s not an anonymous venture.”

For years his team, Friends for a Cure, has been in friendly competition with O’Neill’s team, Cancer Snuffers, for the top fundraisers.

“Every year Julie and I would tease each other left and right,” O’Neill said. “It was really fun, the bantering, and I’m going to miss it, and miss it a lot.”

So far, it’s the first year Friends for a Cure has come out on top.

“This year of all years we’re second, and I’m kind of not really upset about it,” O’Neill said.

Being a part of Relay for Life, organizers make a lot of friendships and bonds, but for her a lot of those friends aren’t alive anymore, she said.

The event is kicked off with a survivor’s lap.

“It’s the whole reason we relay. We want to have more survivors,” O’Neill said. “The more you see the more encouraging it is. It kind of sets the tone for the whole relay.”

At night about 1,500-2,000 candles are lit in paper bags in memory and thought of those who’ve had cancer.

Kawasaki will have one for Julie.

“It’s a very special ceremony,” he said. “It puts it in perspective.”

Kawasaki plans to continue her fight in the long term, raising $4,500 so far this year, he said. “It’s something we’ll stay involved in until we see a cure on the horizon.”