Students go the distance to support cancer society

Utica High School's Hispanic Honor Society raised more than $5000 for the American Cancer Society during Shelby Township's Relay for Life the weekend of May 17. 

"Relay is just a great experience," said club President Erin O'Connor. "It makes you feel like you're not alone because you meet people who have had the same experiences." 

Relay For Life teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Events are up to 24 hours long, and because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times. 

"You don't realize how many people have been through the battle with cancer and the struggle of being there for someone with cancer," O'Connor said. "It is a very welcoming place because most everyone understands that at Relay. It is an amazing group of people running it and amazing teams participating!"