Looking at Joyce Penny, one would not know that she was diagnosed with cancer of her lymphoid tissue four years ago. One would not know that she has lost her brother, mother, father and three cousins to cancer. One would not know that three more of her cousins have cancer right now. They would only see her smile.

Penny has been in remission since September 2008 and has been involved in Relay for Life since 2009. Relay for Life is an annual American Cancer Society event hosted by cities around the United States to raise money for cancer research. This year Penny is the event co-chair of Relay for Life on April 28 in Cape Girardeau.

Penny was diagnosed with follicular non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2008 and is a Hero of Hope for the American Cancer Society. Penny speaks to groups about what it is like to have and survive cancer, as well as what the American Cancer Society offers cancer patients.

"I actually used the American Cancer Society when I got my diagnosis," Penny said. "Immediately, that day I called and had them send me information on my cancer. I had to come up with a goal, as a Hero of Hope, so my goal was to get Colleges Against Cancer (CAC) started on SEMO's campus."

The Southeast branch of CAC was founded in January and has around 30 members. Southeast student and CAC President Rachel Peck said they set a fundraising goal of $1,500 for Relay for Life this year. "It's kind of a small goal, but since we were first starting out we didn't know how much support we'd get," Peck said.

After raising just under $1,000 from a dodgeball tournament called "Grab Your Balls" CAC hosted earlier this semester, Peck is confident their goal will be reached.

Other student organizations from Southeast involved in this year's Relay for Life are Chartwell's, Gamma Sigma Sigma, Alpha Kappa Psi and Gamma Phi Beta.

Penny's Relay for Life team, Go SEMO, has raised around $6,000, and Penny is determined it will meet their goal of $10,000. Go SEMO raised a total of $10,884 for the American Cancer Society at last year's event.

Relay for Life will be held inside the Arena Building, where it has been located for the past two years. However, Penny said, weather permitting, they hope to create a track that will be part indoor and part outdoor.

"We're quickly outgrowing the Arena Building," Penny said. Throughout the night, 47 teams and 600 participants will continue fundraising with bake sales, raffles, contests, games and entertainment.

The Luminaria Ceremony will be held at 9:30 p.m. Candles sitting in bags of sand will be lit, each one in honor of someone who has been touched by cancer.

Names will be read in remembrance of those who have died from cancer and to honor those who are still battling the disease.

Kelli Schenimann is the community manager of development for the American Cancer Society office in Cape Girardeau. Schenimann began her involvement with Relay for Life as an intern for the American Cancer Society in college.

"Last year the event raised $192,000," Schenimann said. "This year we are right on track to reach our goal of $195,000. Teams work year round to ensure the success of Relay. Without the support of our teams, this event wouldn't be successful."

Next year CAC hopes to get more Southeast students involved in fundraising for Relay for Life.

"The goal is to have an on-campus Relay for Life next year," Penny said. "We'll still have the community one, but we'll actually have one just for the college students, too."

Although Penny and her family have been devastated by multiple types of cancer, she has a very positive outlook on life. She puts her heart and soul into planning, fundraising and organizing for the annual Relay for Life event.

Penny knows firsthand the importance of cancer research, as well as the programs and benefits the American Cancer Society is able to provide cancer patients.

"There is such a need for people to help in any way they can," Penny said. "People understand not only is Relay for Life about remembering and getting well and everything, it's also a carnival atmosphere. It's a celebration of life."

Relay for Life will be held from 5 p.m. April 28 to 5 a.m. April 29 at the Arena Building. All members of the community are welcome to join the festivities, even if they are not a registered member of a team. All money raised before and during the Relay for Life event will be donated to the American Cancer Society to fund further cancer research.