The Blair County community came out to support this year’s Relay for Life, but there was something else that made this one different.

Forty-four people shaved their heads and even their beards to raise awareness for cancer. 

“Doesn’t matter like what your age is or what your gender is. It just can come at any time,” participant Gypsy Emerick said.

Emerick and her family all shaved their heads — each for a different reason. 

“I wanna tell every woman that she’s beautiful, even if she has to lose her hair for a reason that she can’t control,” participant Hailey Colby said.   

Each person in Emerick’s has been affected by cancer in some way, shape or form. 

“My mom had a cancer scare when I was younger, but it’s okay now. I think it scares everybody, ‘cause it can happen to anybody,” participant Asia Boughan said. 

The two-day event was filled with fun, laughter and camaraderie, where people came together for one goal. 

“We need to raise awareness first. And if that means shaving our heads or putting up billboards or anything like that, then I think we should do it,” participant Kenny Mowery. 

More than $176,000 were raised to benefit the American Cancer Society.

There were 52 teams registered for this year’s Relay for Life at Mansion Park.