Sequim and other Olympic Peninsula communities just garnered more resources to fight cancer.

Sequim celebrated its Relay for Life event on Aug. 13, with the community handily exceeding the $16,000 goal.

Hannah Halstrom, Community Manager with Relay For Life, said Sequim raised $19,160.30 in helping the American Cancer Society seek a cure for cancer.

The event saw 82 individuals on 12 teams take part, and in all 127 total participants came to the event site just north of Carrie Blake Park, from various community groups and individuals.

The Olympic Medical Cancer Center and and Fit4Life group raised about $5,200, Halstrom said.

“We haven’t had two teams raise over $5,000 since 2012,” she said.

Event speakers included Dr. Scott Kennedy, Olympic Medical Center Chief Medical Officer, and Warren Neil a caregiver in the community.

Halstrom coaches volunteers in communities to put on events such as these across the Olympic Peninsula. With Port Angeles and Port Townsend hosting events in July and Forks earlier in August, Sequim was her final peninsula event of the summer.

“We want to build this up for next year,” Halstrom said. “There is no cure yet for cancer, so we have to keep going.”

In addition to speakers and a flag presentation by the Sequim American Legion, the event included several entertainment acts and activities throughout the day, and culminated in a luminaria closing ceremony.

“People call us and want to perform when they hear what it’s for,” said Sequim’s Carla Madison, who co-chaired the Sequim Relay for Life with Darlene Reysack of Kitsap County area.

“The community is great about donations. Fantastic,” Madison said. “They all have reasons to be out here.”