For more than 15 years, Kathy Willis, of Niles, has attended the Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life. When she was diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2014, she returned to the event under a different capacity: as a survivor.

Saturday evening at Niles High School, Willis was one of dozens of local survivors who attended Relay for Life for a Survivors’ Ceremony. Donning purple shirts, embossed with the word “survivor,” those who have battled the disease took to the track for a recognition lap. The survivors marched, some bearing torches and others holding the hands of family, friends and caregivers.

The Niles-Buchanan Relay for Life raises funds for the American Cancer Society. Throughout the year, teams who sign up fundraise for the cause. The fundraiser ends with Relay for Life, where participating teams walk the track for 12 hours.

The funds raised contribute to cancer research and aid local programs in Berrien County, such as Look Good Feel Good, Hope’s Lodge and Road to Recovery. By 5:30 p.m. Saturday the event had raised approximately $43,000, according to Mike Megyesi, a senior market manager for the ACS. A final count on the funds was expected to take place when the event ended at midnight Sunday. Approximately 200 people participated in the event.

In addition to a Survivors’ Ceremony, a luminary ceremony honoring those who had lost their lives to cancer took place at dusk.

Throughout her diagnosis, Willis endured many ups and downs. Sharing the information with her family, especially her husband, Jim was hard. But support from her friends and family, and having a stubbornly positive attitude were tools to battling the disease on her best and worst days.

“I had a great faith and that is what keeps me going,” Willis said. “That’s what keeps me going [now]. I just keep pushing on.”

She also thanked her Lakeland doctor for providing the treatment that has allowed her to live to better get to know her six grandchildren and become a great-grandmother.

Unlike some, Willis did not have to undergo chemotherapy or radiation, even after the cancer returned this year and spread to her kidney. Willis said she was fortunate and rarely felt sick while battling cancer. Every three months, she has to return to the doctor for a checkup. Willis said she knows many who fought a very different battle, laden with far more obstacles. Some of those include her family members who have been diagnosed with cancer.

Willis lost both her father, Robert and brother-in-law, John Willis, to cancer. Several of her family members are also currently fighting cancer. When she attends Relay for Life, it is also to recognize those in her family and community who have battled cancer, she said.

“Cancer just really touches everybody,” Willis said. “It really does. Whether you have had it or your family member has had it.”

Each year that she has attended, Willis meets up with her friend, Gloria Lockey — a breast cancer survivor who has been cancer free for 19 years.

Lockey, of Niles, said she received her diagnosis four months after her brother had also been diagnosed with cancer. Lockey’s mother also fought cancer.

During chemotherapy, Lockey lost her hair. Another side effect from the treatment was feeling sick.

When Lockey attends the Survivors’ Ceremony, she thinks of her family.

“It makes me think of my mom and my brother,” Lockey said.

If there is one thing her own diagnosis left her with, it is a different perspective.

“It makes me realize the difference between the petty stuff,” Lockey said. “It is the people [in your life] that are important. It is not the stuff you have. It is really about the importance of your friends, family and health.”