By Brenda Sexton-The Courier-Herald

This year Abby Frame of Buckley turned 6 years old on Easter.

Easter is a busy holiday, her parents Joe and Penny Frame explained, a party was in her future, but maybe she didn't need to have the kids bring gifts.

Abby said that was OK, but she wanted to know if her friends could bring money and they could give it to the Relay for Life in nana's name. She had a friend who did something similar for Oprah Winfrey's girls' school and she'd like to help the cancer society.

Abby's nana, Mary Beth Visnaw, died in March after a battle with two types of cancer. Penny, Abby's mom, is the co-chairman of this year's American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Buckley, which kicked off Friday night and concluded Saturday morning along the Foothills Trail.

Relay For Life is a community event designed to raise money for research and programs, draw awareness to the deadly disease, educate people on how to prevent and detect cancer when possible and celebrate the lives of those who have won the battle against one of America's top killers.

&#8220I colored a box then I cut a hole in it so they could put money in it,” Abby explained. About 20 students from her Carbonado Historical School kindergarten classroom attended her April birthday celebration.

&#8220The kids were coming in saying here's some money for the cancer society; here's some money for your nana,” Penny said. &#8220I think it impacted them too because their parents talked to them about it. I think we need to talk to kids earlier in life about giving.”

Through the generous donations of her classmates, Abby raised $280 at her birthday party and about $1,200 more through donations from family and friends who gave in nana's memory via a Web site.

&#8220I feel good,” Abby said.

&#8220I think it will hit her even more tonight (Friday) when she walks,” said Penny before the start of the Relay For Life.

Teams of walkers from businesses, churches, schools, organizations, families and neighborhoods cruised around the trail for the 18-hour event. The event kicked off with the survivors' lap and continued after dark with luminary bags to honor those battling cancer or in memory of those who have lost their lives to the disease.

The Buckley Relay For Life raised about $64,000.

The Buckley Fire Department was one of the top fundraising teams. Others were Auburn High's DECA and Ohana V.

Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierheraldcom.