<p>Candalyn Reiber, 17, Rebekah Holton, 16, Kaitlyn Baune, 16, and Zack Sprague, 18, walk under the Relay for Life banner while participating in the fundraiser Saturday at Sunridge Middle School in Pendleton.</p>

Several dozen children and youths participated in a special 18-and-under lap during Saturdays Pendleton Relay for Life at Sunridge Middle School.

Its a pretty moving thing when you see your kids and grandkids get involved with a cause, said Sandy Morris, chairwoman for the event, which raises money for the American Cancer Society.

Teens for a Cure, a group spearheaded by a trio of Morris grandchildren raised about $2,000 for the event.

Helix students Sierra Bryant and Emily Newman, both 15, decided to get the ball rolling with the fundraiser after encouragement from their father, Kyle Bryant.

After an initial school assembly, the step-sisters held planning meeting nearly every week.

Jayden Bryant, 13, also was part of the family affair braiding keychains and bracelets out of paracord. In all, nearly two dozen Helix students, from sixth grade through high school, helped with the effort.

If we can raise $2,000 in a tiny hick town, imagine what a huge school could do, said Sierra Bryant.

Newman said its important to help raise awareness about cancer because it impacts people of all ages.

Bryant said cancer hit home for her when her grandmother was diagnosed several years ago with breast cancer and her grandfather died about a dozen years ago.

I dont think it really hits you until you know someone with it, Bryant said. Its not just an illness, its a big thing.

Kaitlyn Baune, 16, recruited a trio of friends Candalyn Reiber, 17, Rebekah Holton, 16, and Zack Sprague, 18, to walk with her in memory of her grandfather, Frank Baune, who died from cancer. The teens were participating with a team from Obies Import & Domestic Repair.

Virgil Bates of Mission not only walked as a survivor, but also in memory of his brother, David Taylor, who died from pancreatic cancer.

Bates walked around around the track with his grandson, Nu Nu Madrigal, 3, and girlfriend, Amy Madrigal.

We donate year around, Bates said. It helps with fundraising for research and for a cure.

The event went through the night Saturday and ended Sunday morning. Several noise complaints were made by people who lived in the area of Sunridge to Pendleton?police during the night and the group quieted down for a few hours. For more, see the?public safety log, page 5A.

Contact Community Editor Tammy Malgesini at tmalgesini@eastoregonian.com.

or 541-564-4539.