The Liberty County Relay for Life turned back the clock Friday night to celebrate 40 years of the event.

With a theme of the 1980s, the Relay honored the 40-year anniversary of the first Relay for Life held in the U.S. to raise money for cancer research and awareness. Teams, survivors and caregivers took to the track at the Liberty County Recreation Department’s Long-Bell Stadium for the annual Relay for Life.

Every 15 seconds, local Relay chair Karen Bell said, someone hears the words “you have cancer.”

Since its beginning, the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life has raised more than $6.8 billion toward cancer research and support of patients and caregivers, according to the Cancer History Project. The ACS’ fundraising efforts have led to a 33% decline in the death rate from cancer since 1991.

Bell said Relay is an opportunity for cancer survivors to be supported, caregivers to be honored and those who have been lost to cancer to be remembered.

“It is a time for hope and healing tonight,” she said.

Survivors traditionally take the first lap of Relay, followed by caregivers.

“We are here to support our caregivers,” Bell said. “We need them, and we love you and we appreciate you.”

This year’s Relay for Life set a goal of $140,000 and is at close to $165,000.