RUMFORD – Hosmer Field was shining brightly Friday night as participants in the annual Relay for Life walked a track lined with luminary candles honoring survivors and victims of cancer.

Tents and team booths lined the track as walkers took turns resting and doing their part in the fight against cancer.

Teams ranged in size from 10 members to as many as 30 or more.

There were some veteran teams as well as new ones. And each had their own reason for participating.

“I wanted to do something to honor my aunt Andrea Hite who died of leukemia in June of 1997,” said Kim White of Rumford, organizer and captain of the newcomers, “The Rookies.”

“I lost a sister (Hite), a grandfather and a stepfather,” said White’s mother, Kathy Touchette of Rumford. “By participating, you really feel like you’ve accomplished something good.”

The Rookies team also included Amanda Wing, 16, Missy Kimball, 16, Rob White, Holly LeCours, Paul and Diane Saucier, and Dennis DiConzo.

“I wanted to take part because I lost my grandmother Gloria Berry and my 6-year-old cousin Bethany Briggs to cancer,” said Wing, the daughter of Frank and Michelle Burgess of Mexico.

“The Rookies will be back next year as the Rookies II,” joked Touchette.

Event organizer Diane Mitchell of Rumford became involved because of a family history of cancer.

“We’ve lost 21 people to cancer,” said Mitchell. “The first was my husband Brian’s grandmother, Myrtle Burgess, and the most recent, his brother Lauriston Mitchell.”

Mitchell said that 2,117 luminary candles had been sold at the event, 290 in honor of Michael Milligan.

“A committee of family members and friends took them to his house and lined the driveway with them,” said Mitchell, who sadly explained that Milligan is in the final stages of his cancer.

One of the veteran teams participating was the 23-member team of “Friends Forever.” The team was formed four years ago in honor of Wendy Miller, who is battling cancer.

“Wendy is in remission” said team captain Kim Chiasson of Mexico.

Even the entertainers who come to keep up the spirits of the participants had their reasons for being there.

“This is the only benefit show that Wingnuts does,” said Rosie Bradley. “We do it every year, though this is my first time.”

“This is our fifth year,” said Wingnuts director Nancy DeMilner. “We do it because the whole town comes out to support it and they put so much into it and we want to put in what we can.”

The event is also fun.

“I like it a lot,” said Victoria Errington, 10, daughter of Michael and Roxanne Errington of Mexico. “I do it every year with my mother. I wanted to light a luminary candle for my cousin, David Dyke, who died of cancer.

“I’ve been having a blast,” said White.

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