Antonio and Hannia Adorno took a victory lap over cancer as they led the survivor’s walk around the track at Pleasant Valley High School Friday evening.

“We almost lost him three times,” Hannia said about her son, as she became emotional speaking to those attending the 23rd annual West End Relay for Life. “We celebrate him and all of you battling cancer – the fighters, warriors and angels.”

A freshman at the school, Antonio was diagnosed with acute pediatric cancer on May 23, 2020 but is now in remission. This was their second time participating in the local American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

The song “Rise Up” was playing on the sound system right before Hannia spoke. She said this song strikes a chord.

Fellow survivors and family members who lost loved ones, along with friends and community members, filled the stadium to stand together in the fight against cancer. Eleven teams and 51 participants were registered, all helping to get donations for continuing research and patient services.

“We will do this every year until we have a cure,” said Hope Christman, co-chair of the Survivor Committee. “You are our heroes,” she said to those survivors gathered at the high school, noting later that her mom and sister are survivors.

Even Christman’s Juliana pig helped with the cause by reluctantly donning a tutu and puckering up for two teachers. Attendees put money in piggy banks with teachers’ names on them, and the ones with the most cash got to kiss “Pig Pig.” First grade teacher Mark Kutteroff and eighth grade English teacher Lorrie Snyder were the winners.

Money was also collected through a tricky tray, car show, refreshments, various activities and donations for luminaria that lit up the stadium track for the closing ceremony. Walmart Distribution Center in Tobyhanna donated food and manpower for the concession stand.

Face painting, line dancing, ax trowing, survivor flower pot plantings, hobby horse races, and both karate and dance demonstrations were part of the festivities that ran from 4 to 10 p.m. A pie-eating contest and cow chip bingo with Opal the cow were other highlights.

More than $25,000 had been raised at the end of the night, according to Event Lead Cory McKeever. She said her involvement has grown from participant to organizer. McKeever explained that she “stepped up” when her mother-in-law was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.

Her daughters, Joelle and Kassidy, helped with the event, which they have been involved in since they were little.

“Who hasn’t been touched by cancer? This is one way you can help,” McKeever said.

“Everyone is affected in some way,” commented Lisa Hoey, community development manager for the American Cancer Society. She lost her best friend to leukemia, but her mom and husband won their battle with cancer.

During the evening, a reception was held for survivors under one of the tents. They also received a special T-shirt.

Survivor Anthony Gentile, a state trooper in Belfast, won the pie-eating contest and attended the event with family members. “I want to raise money and awareness,” said his wife, Allie, who is a speech therapist at Pleasant Valley Elementary.

Carol Bond of McMichaels walked the stadium track with her friend Susan Sandman of Kunkletown. Bond helped start the Relay for Life in the West End with Mary Sciandra, who lost her battle to cancer before the COVID pandemic. Bond said lung and prostate cancer has taken the lives of family members.

“All ages are affected,” commented Sandman. She said the event “brings people together and gets the word out.”

PVE Power was the name of the team from Pleasant Valley Elementary, which was mourning the recent death of school secretary Stephanie Pfancook. Her three daughters and husband walked the track in memory of their mom/wife. “She was the heart of the school,” said her husband Matthew Pfancook.

Twelve-year-old Alanna Pfancook had gone around the track 13 times before the luminaria ceremony. She was hoping to get in more laps to reach her goal of 25.

“It’s a wonderful event. I wish more of the community would come out,” said Darcy Caruso, an ESL specialist at PVE. Caruso helped with the tricky tray when she wasn’t walking on the track.

Brodheadsville resident Samantha Borden brought her young children out to support the cause and community. She added that she first attended Relay for Life when she was younger. “Cancer impacts all of us,” she said.

As darkness fell on the event, luminaria lined the entire stadium track, bringing light and hope to the battle against cancer. The bags were placed in memory and in honor of relatives, friends and community members. As names were read on the loudspeakers, participants walked the track together, with the flickering light illuminating the darkness.