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MARQUETTE -- Donating to help find a cure, supporting cancer patients and their families is the objective of the Relay for Life event. 

And supporting those objectives was exactly why NMU senior, Lauren Bone, showed up to the Vandament Arena in Marquette.  She was busy Friday afternoon setting up her booth, getting ready to greet others who are also eager to raise funds for cancer.

Although Bone has participated in this event before, this year is more meaningful.    

"Before it was just like, oh that's so sad, it's too bad, you know, I hope that never happens to me,” said Bone.  “Well, now it's happened to me."

Bone found out about her cancer when she was only 19 years old.  A cancerous tumor was located on her appendix while she was getting it removed.

The close brush with a potentially deadly disease was devastating.

“The doctor left and gave us a minute, and I don't know, I just didn't think.  I just burst into tears and my mom just held me and we cried for a while," Bone said.

After an additional surgery that removed one foot of her intestine, she has fully recovered.  And Friday, she gave back, raising $700 for the cause.  She hoped her presence at the event brought hope to others who are fighting for a cure.

"I think a lot of the people here, they're all fighters," Bone said.  "Everybody here wants to help."