RATHDRUM - A heavy thunderstorm may have rained out the participants of the Rathdrum Relay for Life, but their efforts and support were not in vain.

The event was held to honor and remember those stricken with cancer, survivors and those who have lost the battle. Supporters and attendees raised more than $26,000 that will be donated to the American Cancer Society.

As the sun settled on the horizon Friday evening, 19 teams of two to more than 50 people walked the circuit of Lakeland High School's track. The theme was "Celebrating more birthdays... one candle at a time," so some team members wore hats or carried birthday-themed signs.

Among those walking the circuit was Idaho Sen. Mike Crapo, a cancer survivor, who spoke to the crowd as the ceremonies commenced.

"I can identify with many of you here in the audience," he said. "There's a lot of people in my life who are also survivors or who are currently dealing with cancer. I understand the importance of this."

He said he had surgery for prostate cancer about 10 years ago and then two years later had to have a course of radiation treatment.

"I promise you all here that while I will fight to control our budget, I will also fight to make sure that we set priority to protect the funding" for research activities, he said.

A big part of Relay for Life is indeed generating money for cancer research. This was the third Rathdrum Relay, and this year it brought in more than $26,000.

The most vital part of the relay was the people. Thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer every year, causing a web of pain that weaves through the lives of loved ones.

However, in that web is courage, love and hope, all evident in the stories of those present at the relay.

One such story is a woman who went to the extreme to show her support by shaving her head.

Neither cancer survivor nor patient, Trisha Cleveland, 26, decided to remember a close family friend by shocking the public as well as her follicles. She challenged her coworkers to raise $150 if she kept her head shaved for the month of August. They raised $207, so she took the shaver to her golden locks in the name of close friend Cari Ann Jordan.

Cleveland, of Coeur d'Alene, and her mom, Patti Patterson, of Rathdrum, sat near each other as they talked about how Jordan would have been proud. She died from cancer earlier this year.

"Cari went through breast cancer," Cleveland said. "Not only did she have a mastectomy, but then she lost her hair, so she lost a huge part about her identity, and how do you feel like a beautiful woman as you're going through that? So I'm showing people that it doesn't matter whether or not you have hair, you don't have to hide who you are."

The evening was filled with positive energy as teams sold food, drinks and goods to raise money for cancer research. The Lakeland High School Cheer and Dance team had 54 members participating in the relay, cheering and clapping much of the evening.

"They're our most spirited team, that's for sure," said event chair Tamie Phelps, of Rathdrum. Phelps, her sister, mother-in-law and mother are all cancer survivors. She said she feels that everyone should go to a Relay for Life event.

"Most people have no concept, no idea what this is until they come to one," she said. "The biggest thing is that people need to come out and see it. If you look around, you have family, kids from every age."

A touching part of the relay was the luminaria ceremony, where candles were lit and placed in paper bags personally decorated to honor a loved one affected by cancer.

Close to midnight, everyone vacated the field because of the storm, but many returned at 6 a.m. Saturday to pick up, close down and officially end the relay.