For around 12 hours, starting on Friday and ending early Saturday morning, the tireless legs and generous pockets of local residents did their part in the ongoing battle against the deadly disease known as cancer.

Residents participated in “Relay for Life of South Baldwin County,” an event that began at 6 p.m. Friday and ended at 6 a.m. Saturday, to help raise money to fight cancer. Teams signed up to participate in the annual relay event, while other residents came to donate money and show support or join in the walking themselves.

The proceeds from the event benefit cancer research and the society’s programs and services. This was the 16th consecutive relay in South Baldwin, and it raised around $72,000. Last year’s event raised over $64,000, and the goal for this year was $77,000. The Foley-based event has raised almost $900,000.

Zana Price, co-chair for the relay, said teams raised around $1,000 on average from registration fee and donations from other residents. There were awards for the teams and individual who raised the most money, and Aimee’s Team won the “Top Community Fundraiser” award with more than $4,000 raised. They were classmates of a girl who died of cancer in July 2002. American Legion won the “Spirit of Foley” award.

The event — which is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society — started nationally 28 years ago in Washington, D.C., and there are more than 4,800 relays across the country with around three million residents participating.

The theme of this year’s relay was “Score-a-Cure for Cancer,” which means a lot of the activities at the event were types of competitions including talent shows, tug-of-war and children’s games.