Jennifer Payton’s life was forever changed when she lost her father to pancreatic cancer two months ago.

However, she responded in a positive way by joining hundreds of others to fight cancer at the Floyd County Relay for Life on Friday at New Albany High School.

“My dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in November of 2008 and passed away April 8, 2009,” Payton, of Georgetown, said. “So I’m here so that other families don’t have to go through the pain that we had to go through. We were fortunate enough to be with him when he passed away, but also unfortunate because we saw how the cancer consumed his body and his mind.

“I’m glad that he is in a better place, but cancer took him away from me and I miss him every day.”

Payton’s team — Faithful Footsteps — joined about 50 other teams to celebrate, fight back and raise money for the American Cancer Society. For the first time, the Floyd County Relay for Life Planning Committee extended the 12-hour event to 18 hours in an attempt to raise more money and awareness.

“We’re trying to grow,” said event Chairwoman Allison Smith. “This is my second year with the event and I just wanted to try something new. The more time we’re out here, the more money we raise and the more awareness we can get out there.”

The planning committee did see a growth in the number of cancer survivor participants. One-hundred thirty-three cancer survivors — which is double the number of survivors from last year — showed up to the event to show their support and be honored with purple shirts, a pin and a medallion.

“I think there should be these kind of events all over the world,” said Barbara Bowen, a 20-year survivor. “So people will know what cancer does to people, how they survive and the determination and support they have.”

The annual survivor lap kicked off the activities which included fun laps, bands, food, contests, a luminaria ceremony and Locks of Love haircuts. Smith said the planning committee scheduled such events to encourage teams to stay as long as possible.

“We’ve challenged the teams to stay longer this year,” Smith said. “The whole reason we stay over night is because cancer never sleeps.”

Every year, the relay is dedicated to someone, and this year it went to 20-year survivor Steve Greene. He is a Prosser School of Technology teacher whose class has been refurbishing a hot rod car to be raffled off for The Dream Team, and proceeds will go to the 2010 Floyd County Relay for Life.

“I was surprised,” Greene said. “I’m glad I was able to do something like this that will be able to help others. I hope they raise a lot of money. And I have to thank the students for all the work they did.”

While there was a lot to celebrate, there were moments that were particularly hard for Bowen and Payton. Bowen is not only a supporter of this cause because she is a cancer survivor, but she also has lost a loved one.

“I am doing this in memory of my daughter, Roberta Curry, who I lost to cancer December 2007. It’s hard. I’ve cried the last two years,” Bowen said. “It’s really, really hard. She was 39 when I lost her.”

For Payton, the survivor lap was the most difficult part of the evening.

“I know why I’m here,” Payton said. “But what was the hardest was I wanted to do the survivor lap with my dad, and I didn’t get to do that. It made me support the survivors that were out there so much more.

“I screamed and clapped when they walked by because I know what they had to go through to get to this point.”

Though there we’re difficult moments for Payton, at the same time she found the Relay for Life to be a motivation for her.

“I’m the type of person that I need to stay busy,” she said. “It’s not to say this process makes it easier. I think sometimes it makes it harder because you are constantly faced with the thing that took your loved one away.

“But I push on because I know everything I do is for my dad and he would be proud.”

Having seen so many people affected by cancer and having had first-hand experience with the disease, Payton said she has realized even the smallest contribution can make a difference.

“I would like to enter a plea,” Payton said. “Anyone who is able, if it is $1 or $2 or if it is showing up at the event and walking a lap — whatever they can do to support this cause, do it. It will literally change your life one day.

“Cancer is something that affects every single one of us rather we like it or not. We have a duty to do something about it. We can change the course of this disease with $1.”