Nearly $200,000 has been raised on Long Island so far this year in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life events. This past weekend, the Farmingdale community came together for its third annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life event at Farmingdale State University and raised more than $160,000.

No amount of rain could keep these participants away. The usually held outdoors event was held indoors due to the inclement weather. More than 1,000 participants - did more than just walk in circles all night around the indoor track at Nold Hall, they joined a national movement - celebrating its 20th year - that has raised more than $1.3 billion in the fight against cancer.

More than 50 cancer survivors celebrated their triumphs over cancer by walking in the Survivor Victory Lap to kickoff the Relay For Life - to the cheers and applause of the crowd. Throughout the night, the event participants took turns walking around the track to honor cancer patients and survivors who have battled cancer. When they weren't walking, the cancer fighters were spending time with friends, enjoying live entertainment, singing and having fun and winning generously donated prizes in the Chinese Raffle.

Throughout the night, the crowd participated in moving ceremonies to honor the cancer survivors and caregivers in their lives. More than 2,000 lights shining in paper bags bearing the names of those who had cancer led the path of the walk.

The money raised in this year's Farmingdale Relay for Life will help support American Cancer Society cancer research programs, as well as education, advocacy and patient service programs for cancer patients and their families.

For those who participate in Relay For Life, the event represents hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that the disease will one day be eliminated.

Farmingdale resident Tom Hickey led two teams from BAE Systems, a major sponsor of the Relay for Life in Farmingdale. A survivor of Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, Hickey explained why he was there. "To me, one of the most important reasons I personally participate is that we're starting to beat cancer. Being a survivor here at this event, we're showing others today and for the future, that there is hope and the hope is growing. I am a team captain because it's a way to get more people involved to raise funds to fight the battle. There is strength in numbers." Tom also helped by bringing a total of six teams to the event this year by reaching out not only to his company but to his church and local Boy Scout Troop each having two teams.

Four teams from PriceWaterhouse Cooper in Melville raised nearly $3,500 for the Relay for Life at Farmingdale. Team captain, Jill Sweeney, said, "We felt it was important to reach out to the community to show our support for the American Cancer Society. It is a way for us to come together to be a part of something greater. We hope our support brings us closer to finding a cure."

Event Chairperson, Ann McDermott- Kave from OSI Pharmaceuticals was beaming at the thought of raising $163,000 this year. "We started in 2003 raising a little more than $60,000, 2004 we raised $121,000 and this year we exceeded our goal by raising $163,000. It's wonderful how the town of Farmingdale, the teams, captain and volunteers have brought Relay into the lives of the community of Farmingdale." This year's major sponsors included: BAE Systems, OSI Pharmaceuticals, Farmingdale State University, Ruttura and Sons, Long Island Hotels, Suburban Eats, The Hain Celestial Group, Trader Joes, South Farmingdale Fire Department, East Farmingdale Fire Department, Town of Oyster Bay, Austin Travel, LI Ducks and Eagle Interiors Inc.

For more information about Relay for Life call the American Cancer Society 800-ACS-2345. Donate online anytime at www.cancer.org/relay.