A river of purple and gold bodies created a current of support and hope as they walked around Alexandra Park for the Border's Relay for Life at the weekend.
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For some, each step was to remember a loved one whose life had been claimed by cancer.
And for others, it was to find solace and comfort knowing they weren't alone.
There were 158 registered teams and 2750 participants at this year's 24-hour event, which was the second largest in the country.
Communities from both sides of the Border came together to raise awareness of cancer and more than $385,000.
Organiser Carl Friedlieb said this figure was slightly down on last year, but the Border has set a high standard for fundraising.
The money will go towards cancer research and Border initiatives such as a new patient transport vehicle for the region.
Mr Friedlieb said the event had a great “community feel” linking the usual rival cities of Albury and Wodonga.
This year's Relay for Life hero Breanne Shaw, 19, from Albury, walked for the fourth time at the event, joining friends and team mates under the name “Shaw Thing”.
Miss Shaw was diagnosed with osteosarcoma when she was 14-years-old but battled through and helped many others along the way.
She coped by playing games and talking with other young cancer patients at the Royal Children's Hospital.
After 40 weeks of chemotherapy and five surgeries to remove a tumour, it has now been four years since Miss Shaw's last treatment.
"I love Relay for Life, it raises such an awareness for cancer and brings us survivors and carers into a place where we feel like we can all be together, tell our stories and not be afraid of who listens,” she said.
"It is such a good thing to be able to talk about it, especially in a country town."
A group of young troopers called "Kel's Commandos" arrived three hours before the gates opened waiting to snag a prime spot.
Team captain Laura Wall said the name was in honour of her mum, Kellie, who lost her battle with cancer in June last year.
"Mum used to do Relay for Life all the time and she enjoyed it," she said.
"I hope she'd be proud of me for organising a team in her name."
Another woman Gloria Wolf walked for the eighth time with her team GO, or gynaecological and ovarian cancer support.
She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2005 and said, at the time, little information was available.
“We lost one of our girls in June, so we are doing this for her,” she said.
“They are silent cancers, you think you're feeling OK then next thing you know you have cancer.”
