DENISON, TX-- The Grayson County Relay is the largest in Texoma, and brings in more than $100,000 every year for cancer research.

This year was no different, as 92 teams gathered to walk, and remember loved ones who've battled the disease.

One young survivor says her first relay, Friday, will certainly not be her last.

Cheyene Mills, was diagnosed at 15, with a rare form of leukemia, 13 months ago.

"I got really sick, I started losing weight, I started bruising, I was pale. I was tired all the time," Mills, said.

She helped lead the first lap of the event, dedicated to survivors.

Mills is now cancer-free, but like many participants, remembers how tough the road was to get here.

"Nothing ever stops when you have cancer, you battle it in the day, you battle it in the night, you're up all night, a lot of times. So that is the significance of the all night event," Event organizer, Nicole Morgan, said.

Like Cheyene, each participant has their own story to tell, but with each step, they walk towards the same goal.

"It brings people together in unity for one cause, and that in itself is very powerful," Morgan, said.

Raising money for cancer research is the ultimate goal of every relay.

Of the 92 teams that took part, Tyson Foods raised nearly $10,000, and Bells ISD raised just over $7,500.

That money goes directly to the American Cancer Society to find treatments, like cord blood transplants and chemotherapy, which helped save young Cheyene's life.

"The fact that there is a way to treat it, that I'm able to keep living, that's what kept me waking up, is knowing that I'm going to be okay," Mills, said.

Cheyene Mills will be a senior at Tom Bean High School next year. She said walking into her first relay was quite an overwhelming experience.

Upcoming events in our area, include the Love County Relay for Life on June 4th in Marietta, Oklahoma, and the Fannin County Relay in Bonham, Texas, which is scheduled for June 11th.