SANDPOINT — Residents of all ages are once again lacing up their running shoes for the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, which begins today at the Bonner County Fairgrounds.

The event, now in its seventh year in Bonner County, raises money and awareness for cancer prevention, treatments and cures. Beginning at 6 p.m., 17 teams and an unknown number individuals will embark on a 16-hour walk around the inside perimeter of the fairground’s main exhibit hall to help put an end to a disease that claims millions of lives each year.

The annual relay is the largest single cancer fundraiser of the year and has brought in countless millions of dollars since its inception in 1985.

“It’s hugely important,” said Nicol Barnes, an ACS community relationship manager. “Our division — Idaho’s part of the Great West Division — last year, we awarded $39.5 million in research grants just in our division. Of that $39.5 million, over $2 million was awarded to researchers at the University of Idaho.”

Much of the event’s success is due to the unfortunate prevalence of cancer and the sheer volume of people who are effected by the disease, said Barnes.

“People take part because sometime in their lives, either they or someone they know will have cancer, and the progress we’ve made through the American Cancer Society has effected the lives of cancer patients and it effects everyone,” she said.

Mountain West Bank’s Diem Ebmeier is leading a group of more than 15 in the relay. She said the relay is important because of the wide range services that come as a direct result of money raised at the event.

“The money goes to other things that most people don’t know about but are still super important,” she said. “Things like caring for families who can’t afford to get back and forth to the hospital or having families that need somewhere to stay while doing treatment.”

The relay begins at 6 p.m. with an opening ceremony and ends Saturday morning at 10 a.m. Food and entertainment will be available for participants and spectators, and the event is open to the public.