RATHDRUM - On Friday night at Lakeland High School's Corbit Field, Don Page wore a bright yellow shirt that read "Cancer Warrior 2002-Present."

He explained the origins of his unique apparel.

"2002 is when I found a little red spot," Page said. "They had to track me down to get me to understand I had rectal cancer."

A talkative, friendly sort, the 73-year-old from Spirit Lake is a strong walker. He was slowed down by a bad car accident that left him with serious injuries, but he still likes to ramble the roadways of North Idaho, and walked the entire Bloomsday race in Spokane this spring - an accomplishment he shared with pride.

Enjoying a complimentary dinner, Page sat with his wife, Lela, beneath a large open tent. They were surrounded by about 60 fellow cancer survivors, all participating in Rathdrum's first Relay for Life.

"I think they should have it every year," Page said.

The relay started just after 6 p.m., and was scheduled to finish at 10 a.m. this morning. Twenty-one teams and 172 people took part in the 16-hour event.

Clad in colorful T-shirts, they circled the quarter-mile track as darkness settled over the field.

"I'm speechless. The support's been phenomenal," said event chair Tamie Phelps. "I think we'll reach our goal, without any problem."

Organizers hoped to raise $25,000 for the American Cancer Society. When the relay started, $11,176 had already been collected.

"The community has been phenomenal," said Kelli Hornbaker, ACS community relationship manager. "From the very beginning, people just reached out."

Tents filled the football field as walkers set up camp for the night. Hot dogs roasted on the grill.

Up on stage, live music echoed through the amplifiers.

The rules were simple: At all times, at least one member of every team had to be circling the track. They could run, walk, dance, skip - it didn't matter.

"I think it's a really good way to honor those who either have passed or survived cancer," said 15-year-old Jordyn Anderson, a Lakeland freshman.

Both of her grandparents had battled cancer, she said.

Jordyn walked alongside 14-year-old Laramie Coats, another freshman. Both girls were part of the Lakeland cheerleading Relay for Life team.

Laramie's mom was a cancer survivor, and her uncle had died of the disease.

"Just goes for a good cause," she said of the relay. "It's great."

Much of the money raised will stay local, organizers explained. Proceeds will go toward research grants at nearby universities (such as Idaho and Washington State) and will help fund ACS programs that serve North Idaho residents.

Teams set up fundraisers alongside the track, serving freshly-cooked grub or selling inexpensive items. One group laid out a putting green.

Memorial luminaries were filled with sand and lit by small candles. The white paper bags, hundreds of them, honored those who had passed away.

"I think it's incredible," said 88-year-old Dottie Malay, a two-time breast cancer survivor and author. Her book about beating the disease, "In the Shadow of Rainbows," was for sale at the relay.

"I hope to do (the Rathdrum event) every year now," she added. "That would be great."