Smithtown Schools Raise Over $86K At Relay For Life

SMITHTOWN, NY — Students from Smithtown High School East and Smithtown High School West raised more than $86K at its Relay For Life event held Saturday evening into Sunday morning, the school district announced.

Students walked the track at Smithtown High School West to raise awareness and money in the fight against cancer for 12 straight hours.

Relay For Life is a team fundraising event where team members take turns walking around the track. The event was 12 hours in length, and each team was asked to have a member on the track at all times to signify that cancer never sleeps.

Each team set up a themed campsite at the event and continued their fundraising efforts by collecting donations for food, goods, games and activities that go to the American Cancer Society.

This money counted toward their overall team fundraising goal.

Cancer survivors were also honored at the event, which Smithtown High School East student, Amira Abdallah, said is a reminder of the cause.

"It can get emotional," Abdallah said in a news release. “But then you remember why you’re here and what you’re fighting for, and it helps."