Editor's Note: This is a part of the News Bulletin's continuing coverage of Crestview's American Cancer Society Relay For Life fundraisers. Relay For Life is 6 p.m. April 25 at Shoal River Middle School in Crestview.
CRESTVIEW — The American Cancer Society is more than $7,000 closer to a cure following Saturday's Davidson Dash 5K/10K.
"The numbers are not final, but preliminary numbers look like $7,500, give or take $100," event organizer Daniel Richards said.
Nearly 300 participants ran the race or signed up for a silent auction to win door prizes donated by local businesses.
See 38 photos from the event>>
Ultimately, they remembered loved ones and neighbors touched by cancer.
"It's a cause that is near to our hearts," said Crestview resident Suzi Gaszak, who ran with her 13-year-old son, Jonah. "My mom had cancer several years ago and passed away."
Gaszak's mother, Shelby Seymour, died from breast cancer in 1989. Although progress in cancer treatments has come a long way since then, Gaszak would love for there to be a cure.
"Now you have a good chance of survival; back then it was almost a death sentence, and that's why I want to see an end to this," she said.
Niceville resident Blake Sparks said she enjoys running 5Ks, but particularly appreciates the cause of this one.
"I just ran to support the cause," she said. "Raising money for the fight against cancer is an important cause."
Running the Dash was a way to honor loved ones with cancer while having the added benefit of exercise, Trevor Bryant, 15, said.
"It's fun," he said. "Everybody can get out and have a good time."
Contact News Bulletin Staff Writer Matthew Brown at 850-682-6524 or matthewb@crestviewbulletin.com. Follow him on Twitter @cnbMatthew.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Davidson Dash raises more than 7K for cancer research (PHOTOS)