It was a highly emotional experience.
- Georgina Petterson
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HUNDREDS of people are walking through the night to remember, celebrate and fight back.
Survivors, carers, medical professionals, family and friends are taking part in Bendigo's Relay for Life to show their support for the fight against cancer.
City of Greater Bendigo Mayor Barry Lyons officially opened the relay, with carers and survivors given the honour of walking the first lap.
It was an emotional 400 metres for many people, including cancer survivor Georgina Petterson.
"It was a highly emotional experience," she said.
"Walking alongside other cancer survivors and carers was very moving."
Ms Petterson was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in 2012.
Her daughter, Jacinta Hocking, said the relay was a celebration for survivors but also a time to remember those who had lost their lives to cancer.
"We are walking in memory of lots of people," she said.
Bendigo Relay for Life chairman Rob Kean said 74 teams had registered for this year's relay - a number he was pleased with.
"It has been a good turnout," he said.
"We are really pleased."
Relay for Life Volunteer Advisory Committee and La Trobe Valley Relay for Life chair Sue Van Heurck said everyone at the relay had their own story to tell.
She told the story of her friend Susie who passed away from cancer, and said every relay participant should be proud of what they have achieved.
"The money we raise goes towards the awesome research and support," she said.
"The research, we know, provides people who are undergoing treatments with new-found treatments they can try.
"Those opportunities mean people, like my girlfriend Susie, live to see (their) children (grow up) and become adults.
"It means she had 12 years to celebrate with her family and friends.
"When she passed away it was really sad but I know it is the work we have all done that helped her achieve that."