Cancer has divided many families and communities not only throughout Butler County, but across the globe.

But on Friday, it was responsible for bringing one small community together for food, fun and celebration of those who have won the battle against cancer.

Cancer survivors gathered at First Baptist Church for the Relay for Life Survivors Luncheon, held each year on the weekend prior to the big event.

Linda Holley, chairman of this year’s event, said that the luncheon’s primary purpose is to gather all of the community’s survivors and celebrate their victory against an enemy that has claimed far too many lives.

“All the survivors in Butler County that we can contact get an invitation to come to our luncheon, and we celebrate each other,” Holley said.

The Singing Valentines sang a series of uplifting songs that served to not only raise the spirits of those who listened, but also to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

Members of the Senior Circle as well as Priester’s Pecans were responsible for sponsoring the Survivors Luncheon, and many door prizes donated from various organizations throughout the Greenville community were also distributed to participants throughout the event.

Despite the focus on cancer survivors, Holley added that cancer in its various forms has affected everyone present at the banquet either directly or indirectly, and that family members and friends who have supported cancer survivors are just as integral to the fight.

“It’s very important to remember not only the survivors, but the caregivers,” Holley said. “The caregivers go through almost everything the survivors go through day in and day out.”

Butler County’s Relay for Life begins at the Greenville YMCA on Friday night starting at 6 p.m.