ISHPEMING -- The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is the largest fund-raiser in the world for a non-profit organization.

This year, more than 5,000 Relays for Life will be held across the United States, 12 of them here in the U.P.

Friday evening, the sun was just about set over the Al Quaal Recreation Area in Ishpeming, but the Relay for Life festivities were just getting started.  More than 4,000 luminarias were lit, each one honoring a different person who's been affected by cancer.  It's not, however, a somber event.  In fact organizers say the Relay for Life is a chance to remember, celebrate, and fight back against cancer.

Festivities kicked off Friday afternoon.  Fund-raising teams set up camp and started selling, everything from relay trinkets to Jilbert's ice cream, which came in handy on a hot day.

"Then we have our Survivor Lap which is one of the highlights of the event.  We generally have about 140 cancer survivors.  They all take to the track, and that is their turn to have their separate walk.  And then after that, we follow that with the Caregiver Lap with our cancer survivors and their caregivers," says Carl Fulsher of the American Cancer Society.

There was also a live basket raffle, plenty of eats and drinks, and every penny raised goes to the American Cancer Society.

"Last year was our largest year.  I think we totaled out at $94,000, if not more.  This year, we are already in the $80,000s, so we're looking to get there," says Claire Young.  Young calls herself the "Money Grabber" though she's technically titled "Treasurer."

Already more than $80,000, and the night is young.  The money raised is used on cancer research, education, services, and advocacy.  And, Madam Money Grabber, why is it such an important event?

"Everybody knows somebody that has either fought cancer or is surviving cancer," Young replied.

Well said.