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Cancer survivor Loree McCall comforts Cindy McElroy as McElroy's husband tells his cancer story to the Miss-Lou Relay for Life crowd Friday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Earle McElroy speaks to the Miss-Lou Relay for Life crowd about his journey with cancer. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

The Relay for Life crowd sings the National Anthem during the opening ceremonies Fridau night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Cancer survivors make the first lap of the 2019 Miss-Lou Relay for Life at the Vidalia Municipal Complex. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

The UMB team cheers on survivors as they make the first lap Friday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

The opening ceremonies were including everything from prayer and praise to tears and cheers. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

God's Angelic Warriors led off this year's Relay for Life. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

(Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

Cancer survivors Keith Darnell and Lillie Anne Bryan took the survivor lap together Friday night. (Ben Hillyer / The Natchez Democrat)

VIDALIA — For the teams of the Miss-Lou, Relay for Life is more about the cause than about winning the race, organizers said, but that did not stop them from out fundraising themselves for the third consecutive year.

For the past two years, the Relay for Life of the Miss-Lou has been No. 1 in the nation in fundraising per capita and may come close to winning the race again this year, said Julia Drews, co-chairman for the Relay For Life of the Miss-Lou alongside Sherry Kiser.

In 2018, the Miss-Lou raised more than $141,000 for the American Cancer Society, and last Friday’s relay at the Vidalia Municipal Complex brought them to $161,000 for 2019, Drews said, adding the fundraising continues until January.

“The relay was quite impressive, and we are extremely thankful,” Drews said. “Last year, we were No. 1 in the nation per capita at $141,000, so I’m hopeful we will get that three years in a row. I’m extremely pleased with how we did. We have wonderful teams that are extremely dedicated and an entire community that comes out to support us each year. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

Drews said more than 30 teams participated in Friday’s event to join the fight against cancer. The Markets came in first-place for most funds raised followed by Vidalia Walmart and Riverland Medical Center.

The most touching part of the Relay for Life, Drews said, is hearing the stories of the cancer survivors and watching them make their lap around the track.

“This is a fight to against cancer,” Drews said. “We have to keep fighting, because you may never know what tomorrow might bring. Tomorrow may be the day we find a cure. … When the survivors do their walk, you can see that they’re so thankful to be there. … That is the reason we do what we do. They are out there fighting, so why can’t we help them fight?”

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