Cancer survivors, their family and friends gathered at Memorial Stadium on Friday night for the Selma Relay for Life.

“This is a wonderful thing that they do for people out here that have breast cancer or really any kind of cancer,” said Kay Little, an 18-year survivor of breast cancer. “I love coming out here and fellowshipping with people that I know have been through what I’ve been through.”

Relay for Life has been raising money for cancer research since 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Wash., colorectal surgeon walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money.

Friday night, teams gathered in Memorial Stadium to celebrate survivors and fellowship while remembering those who lost out in their battle with cancer.

“ I came out in memory of my mother, Maggie Smith,” said Florida Smith. “She survived for a while, but it took its toll on her.”

While many of the participants have spent years supporting Relay for Life, it was other teams first time.

“This is our first year,” said Dana Phillips, the team captain for Team Fo’Head. “We are doing this in honor of our father Elmer ‘Homey’ Dildy.’’’