Lighting the track, fueling the fight!

From dusk until dawn, the track at Smithtown High School West became a symbol of hope and determination this past weekend as students from High School East and High School West came together for the annual Relay For Life event.

The 12-hour fundraiser, held overnight from Saturday into Sunday, raised more than $83,000 to support the fight against cancer through the American Cancer Society.

Relay For Life is a team-based fundraising event in which participants take turns walking around the track throughout the night. The event serves as the culmination of months of fundraising and awareness efforts led by students from both high schools.

"Our Luminaria ceremony moved into the gym due to the weather…some canopy tents were lost but it was all for a great cause!" said High School West advisor Dillon Archer.

A hallmark of Relay For Life is the commitment to keep at least one team member on the track at all times, representing the reality that cancer never rests. In the same spirit, participants continue walking through the night in honor of those battling the disease and in memory of those who have been lost.

The Smithtown Central School District is proud of you!