Unless they experience it firsthand, one can never fully realize the magnitude of the wretched disease that is cancer.

But, that doesn't mean they couldn't attempt to walk a mile in their shoes, as many a participant did at the 11th annual Relay For Life of Palmerton & Surrounding Communities.Those who took part in the 24-hour event held this past weekend at the Lehighton Football Stadium did their part to raise as much money as possible to help combat the disease.The event really hit home with Deirdre Berger, 42, of Slatedale, a one-year cancer survivor.A native of Palmerton, Berger said she was diagnosed with invasive ductal carcinoma on April 14, 2011. Since then, she's undergone three lumpectomies, chemotherapy, and two rounds of radiation.Through it all, Berger said she's had her family and a large circle of friends who have supported her.Berger specifically credited her friend, Ashley Hudson, of Slatedale, for the sound advice she gave her."When I first thought something was wrong, she mentioned to me that I needed to have it checked, because breast cancer runs in my family," Berger said. "Every women needs to get a mammogram at 40."Berger said it wasn't until last year's Relay - a couple of weeks after she learned she had cancer - that the significance of the event really began to sink in."I showed up at the Celebration of Survivors last year," she said. "I started following the American Cancer Society, and I like that all of this money that's raised will stay [in the community] for research and awareness."Berger said she would encourage everyone to participate in Relay."It's a voice for any type of awareness, and is great for people," she said. "It's a wonderful event, because there are people from your community who you had no idea are affected."The theme of this year's Relay was "Rockin' Around the Clock for a Cure." With the Palmerton Area High School Stadium presently under construction, organizers decided to hold it in Lehighton.While it failed to reach its desired $88,000 goal, the event was able to garner $77,015, according to Caylan Chanwik, Community Income Development Specialist, American Cancer Society."Although we fell short of our goal, everyone felt a huge sense of accomplishment regarding the large amount of money that was raised," Chanwik said. "We faced some challenges this year with the change of location, but the Relay was a success nonetheless."Chanwik said there were 32 teams that registered, five of which were new this year; 366 registered team participants; and 111 registered cancer survivors."Especially exciting is the fact that we already have 19 teams registered for next year's Relay," she said. "We heard a lot of positive feedback that participants liked the new location."Chanwik said the event wouldn't have been possible if not for the assistance of many."We want to thank the Lehighton Area School District for welcoming and hosting us, and [Athletic Director] Kyle Spotts and the maintenance staff in particular, for all of their support and help," she said. "They truly went above and beyond to make sure we had everything we needed."The event began with an opening ceremony that included the singing of the "Star Spangled Banner" by Palmerton Area High School senior Lydia Anthony, followed by an opening prayer by Vicky Smith.Featured attractions included a Celebration of Survivors, a Luminaria Service to Remember those lost to cancer, and a Fight Back Ceremony.In addition, a Parade of Teams led off the Fight Back ceremony led by Sandy Benson and Sharon Krebs, the Relay's Advocacy co-chairs.Sue Eckhart and Berger, Honorary Survivor Chair, led the Survivor's Celebration, as survivors with caregivers took the first lap. Berger's son, Aaron Kromer, 22, of Slatedale, helped carry the Survivor Flags during the Survivor Lap. A survivor/caregiver reception immediately followed.Afterward, the Luminaria Remembrance Ceremony was held, with opening remarks by Tina Hill. Caregivers and survivors then led the first lap after the ceremony, as all others who attended joined in thereafter.Teams fundraise all year long in support of the event. Palmerton's Relay for Life, the only of its kind in Carbon County, was one of 217 community and collegiate events that raised $21.1 million statewide in 2007.The theme of last year's event was "Cancer Loses When Everyone Plays to Win." That event, which had 253 Luminarias, 486 participants, 144 survivors, and a total of 46 teams, raised $85,276.Over $1 million has been raised since the event formed in Palmerton in 2002.The first Relay For Life event was held in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., by Dr. Gordy Klatt, and is the nation's largest overnight, 24-hour, nonprofit walk event.All proceeds raised at this year's event will benefit the Carbon-Tamaqua Unit of the American Cancer Society.