There are many poignant moments during a 24-hour Relay For Life event: the opening speeches, the Celebration of Life reception, the lighting of the luminarias in honor and memory of those who fight and fought the good fight; and the Parade of Teams.

At the West End Relay For Life held at Pleasant Valley High School's stadium in Brodheadsville, Boy Scout Crew 101 Gilbert and Troop 113 Brodheadsville presented the colors and raised the American flag.Peter DiMichele sang the national anthem. The Rev. Robert Mitchell of Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church in Brodheadsville gave the invocation."Fill us with your spirit that we may run this race with perseverance, joy and hope," he prayed.But the moment everyone waits for is learning if all their hard work and fundraising efforts resulted in meeting their goal. This year's goal was $81,000.Chairwoman of the event, Sue Dudley, a Hodgkin's lymphoma cancer survivor, announced that online efforts raised $54,553. The day of the event, they raised an additional $24,776 for a total of $79,330.Although they fell $1,670 short of the goal, a mighty cheer was still raised from the 43 teams that participated.Then a member of the committee handed Dudley a note."We just reached goal," she said after reading the note."I was just informed that the monies raised at the concession stand has been donated. That total is $3,100, exceeding our goal. Thank you for all your hard work," she said.And another mighty cheer was raised.RecognitionThe Top Individual Fund Raisers were: Heather Scott, $2,046; Amy Wilcox, $2,007; and Dr. Karin Breitlauch, $1,790.The Top Team fundraisers were: Ark of Hope, $8,668.42; PV Pride, $6,892.94; and Majestic Stompers, $4,242.86.This year's theme was MargaRelayVille. First place for the Best Costume was awarded to Team Try Hard; second went to Ark of Hope; and third to PVE Power.First place for Best Banner went to PVE Power; second went to Fear Less; while Try Hard took third.Best Tent went to Mountain Warriors, while Curves took second and ESSA earned third place.First place for Most Spirit Points went to PVE Power, 63,400; PVE Pride, 52,650, took second; and third went to Majestic Stompers 28,650.Rosemary Brown says there's so many people she is aware of that have cancer."I want to do anything I can do to get ahead of cancer research to help people with the disease. To date, the Relay For Life fundraisers have raised $5 billion. Remember today what you are walking for."What relay meansLisa Hoey, staff partner for the Monroe County American Cancer Society said that when she attends these Relay For Life events, she has to remind herself that she is an employee."I feel a part of each event. I take away the best from each. Last year I met some very phenomenal people here and I looked forward to coming back. The people who walk through these gates at relay know they're around family. All those funds you raise, I get to see the results of what that money does. It's all worthwhile," Hoey said."They say it takes a village to raise a child. It takes a community to fight cancer," she said.Close of RelayAs the 2014 West End Relay For Life came to a close, the teams walked the final lap to the inspirational song "Roar" by Katy Perry, which could almost have been written with battling cancer in mind."You held me down, but I got up. Already brushing off the dust. You hear my voice, you hear that sound, Like thunder gonna shake the ground. You held me down, but I got up, Get ready 'cause I've had enough. I see it all, I see it now, (Chorus) I got the eye of the tiger, a fighter, dancing through the fire, 'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar. Louder, louder than a lion, 'Cause I am a champion and you're gonna hear me roar."Cancer ... hear us roar.