VIDALIA — Barbara Breithaupt is no stranger to cancer.

Her mother, two sisters and brother all lost their battles with cancer.

Breithaupt of Vidalia released lighted lanterns into the sky Friday night at the 2014 Miss-Lou Relay for Life on the Vidalia Riverfront in remembrance of her lost loved ones and in honor of her other brother, Dewayne Poyner, who beat bladder cancer.

Breithaupt, a member of Vidalia First Baptist Church’s Relay team, lost her mother, Ozella Poyner, to breast cancer when Breithaupt was only 18.

“It was very devastating for our whole family,” said Breithaupt, who is now 72.

Breithaupt’s sister, Arita Poyner Helt, was 37 when breast cancer took her life as it did her mother’s. Breithaupt’s sister, Melvita Poyner Gibson, was 57 when she experienced the same fate.

Breithaupt’s brother, Gary, was the same age as Melvita when multiple myeloma claimed his life.

“I don’t think there’s any way to describe how hard all that was,” Breithaupt said.

Breithaupt said she finds solace when she is at Relay for Life, among cancer survivors and family members who have been affected by cancer.

“I think it’s a really good experience for people that have been through this,” she said. “We all have a common bond.”

Most importantly, Breithaupt said, Relay for Life participants have a common goal.

“I don’t think I need to stress how important it is that we raise money for cancer research, because I am sure you know very few people who have not been affected by cancer, “ she said.

An important message survivor Kim Cobb of Monterey hopes people realize is a lesson she learned after being diagnosed with breast cancer in November.

Cobb found no lump in her breast, and her cancer was caught after a mammogram.

“You’re not always going to find something if you’re checking yourself,” she said. “I was a healthy person and never had any problems. It’s important that you go and have mammograms.”

Cobb and other members of Team Fishing for a Cure released 16 lanterns into the sky Friday night.

Relay for Life participants write names of loved ones on sky lanterns and release them into the night sky during the bag. Torches and luminaria bags are lit and line the Relay track as team members walk laps in honor of survivors and lost loves ones.

The luminary service is a moving experience, Relay co-chair Sherry Kiser said, and one of the highlights of the event.

“To me, it’s one of the most beautiful sights you will see,” she said. “It’s like watching them go up into heaven.”