MAHOPAC- Cancer is a battle and fight that organizers of Saturday’s Relay for Life in Mahopac forecast: “We will win!”

The disease has affected every resident of Putnam County in some way, shape or form but as Kate Corsitto, Senior Development Manager for the American Cancer Society told a gathering along the Mahopac High School track with strong winds and intermittent rain falling: “With the generosity of donors to the American Cancer Society and newly discovered medications, the battle is far from over when there will hopefully be a day when relays are no longer needed. Today is a celebration of hope.”

The Mahopac relay raised more than $100,000: “Give yourselves a pat on the back,” Corsitto told the crowed adding: “Mahopac is once again the top Cancer Society fundraiser in the entire New York Metropolitan area.”

Speakers traced the proud history of the Mahopac Relay from the early days when former Putnam Valley resident and noted television personality Judge Judy visited the event.

There was the visit from the “bear” which changed the length of the relay. Originally, the event was 24 hours where participants walked the track from 12-noon on a Saturday— around the clock—until 12- noon the following day.

After a curious bear visited campers early in the morning, the event was shortened and has since ended at 10 p.m.

Putnam’s second Relay for Life takes place next Saturday on the Brewster High School track.