When two-time cancer survivor Connie Ainsworth was undergoing medical treatments for her disease, she wanted nothing to do with the American Cancer Society's "Look Good ... Feel Better" program.

"I fought it the whole way," Ms. Ainsworth, a Penn Hills native, said of the makeup and hair class designed to help women offset changes in their appearance caused by their treatments. But once she finally tried it, she was thankful.

"It really helped me a lot, being there with other people with the same fears and anxieties as I had," she said.

It's programs such as this one -- along with transportation services, education, advocacy, research and support for cancer patients -- that are funded in part by money raised at community Relay for Life events.

One took place in Ligonier last weekend and six others are planned in the PG East region this spring and summer.

Last year, Pennsylvanians raised $21.1 million in community relays, with an average of $97,041 at each event, according to Leigh Ann George, community income development specialist for the American Cancer Society.

Much of the money raised stays in the area in which it is collected. Relay for Life guidelines state that expenses be kept at 10 percent.

In many neighborhoods, the Relay for Life is becoming as traditional as fireworks on the Fourth of July. Usually a 24-hour event over two days, it's a gathering of cancer survivors and their supporters, teaming up to walk laps around a track. Often, tents are pitched for use during downtime.

Solemn times of honor and remembrance are combined with celebration and camaraderie.

"It's a big roller coaster of emotions," said Tina Blake, Latrobe's Relay for Life co-chairwoman..

Mrs. Ainsworth, who was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2001 and breast cancer in 2004, is now the chairwoman for the Pittsburgh Relay for Life East, the largest in Allegheny County.

Taking place on July 12-13, the Pittsburgh East relay will feature a 100-voice choir of singers from neighboring churches and local Christian bands.

But it was with vigor that she explained a new element this year, incorporating children and an education tent for those in kindergarten through sixth grade.

"We're going to involve them heavily in a new ceremony called 'Fight Back,' " she said. Youngsters will be asked to make a pledge to repeatedly remind someone special to take care of himself or herself.

"It could be about getting a mammogram or not smoking," she said, adding that U.S. Marines will lead a children's lap around the track.

Coming up May 30-31, the Murrysville Relay also will have a large student involvement with 38 youth teams registered.

According to Renee Mohler, Murrysville's Relay for Life chairwoman, part of the reason for high student participation is the inspiration of Joe Leftwich, a former middle school principal and administrator who died of cancer in 2006.

He was instrumental in bringing the Relay for Life to Murrysville six years ago.

"The teachers are also an influence. The middle school teacher team, the Cancer Bashers, raised over $10,000 last year," Ms. Mohler said.

All of the area Relays for Life feature an emotional survival lap, usually followed by a dinner for survivors and a guest.

"A person is considered a survivor the day they are diagnosed," Ms. Blake said. "So many people feel that they have to beat their cancer first, and that is just not so."

This year, about 300 survivors and their guests are anticipated to attend Latrobe's free luncheon, catered by Smokey Bones restaurant.

"It's so inspirational for someone [fighting cancer] to see a 20-year survivor going around the track," Ms. Blake said.

Perhaps equally moving are the luminary ceremonies at most Relays for Life. Ms. Blake remembered one older gentleman at last year's relay, dressed in his Sunday best, sitting next to a bag bearing the name of his sweetheart. He waited patiently for her name to be called.

"This year, we are expecting at least 3,000 luminary bags in honor of or in memory of a person with cancer, and each and every one of those names will be read during the ceremony," she said.

Murrysville's luminary ceremony will feature a musical presentation with photographs honoring community members who have faced cancer.

Even though a Relay for Life lasts about 24 hours, fund-raising occurs year-round. On May 10, the Pittsburgh East Relay sponsored a Jazzercise marathon that raised more than $4,000.

"Forty-five percent [of last year's $78,000] we made prior to the relay," said Mrs. Ainsworth.

The Relay for Life at Norwin will be on July 19-20. One week earlier, on July 12, the "Amazing Grace" team, that relay's largest, will hold a "Green Eggs and Ham" breakfast at Pluma Restaurant in Irwin.

The Amazing Grace team will walk in honor of Grace Ekis, last year's Relay for Life ribbon cutter who died in February of an inoperable brain tumor. She was 5 years old.

"Her team is still going strong," said Denise Martin, chairwoman of Norwin's Relay. "[Grace's story] is a very strong reason why our relay is growing."

A team from the Alle-Kiski Valley Relay, the Burrell Beaders, sold bracelets for Mother's Day made of glass beads in colors that represent the different types of cancer. Each bracelet sold for $15, said Relay for Life chairwoman Nancy Schowalter,

Latrobe, and several other communities, hold a "Dimes Make a Difference" campaign. About $92 to $100 in dimes can fill a 20-ounce water bottle.

"We brought in thousands from that," Ms. Blake said.

"It's amazing how many people are trying to raise money for this disease," Ms. Schowalter said.