Carolyn Bryant, 43, of Toney gives a sample massage to Monica Williams of Ardmore on Friday at Limestone County Relay for Life. Bryant is in remission from four types of cancer and recently opened her own massage parlor and spa.

A large-scale tailgate party sprung up at the Sportsplex Friday, with colorful tents ringing a makeshift track, bagpipes drowning out chatter and the aroma of grilled burgers wafting through the cool night air.

Hundreds of people — and several pets — filled the parking lot near the Kids Dugout for Limestone County Relay for Life’s annual all-night American Cancer Society fundraiser.

Clad in bright blue or purple shirts, survivors stepped to the opening ceremony microphone to share their winning statistics against cancer, setting off on two victory laps before being joined by their caregivers for another stroll around the track.

The walkers showed palpable emotion, some wiping away tears and sharing hugs while others cavorted and waved to the crowd.

Smiling through cancer

Among the participants was Toney resident Carolyn Bryant, making her first appearance at the Limestone benefit after participating in several Relay events in Huntsville.

Bryant, who completed her massage therapist certification five months ago and recently opened up Nature’s Way Massage and Spa in Toney, has triumphed against four types of cancer.

The bubbly 43-year-old overcame breast cancer 11 years ago, followed by a diagnosis of brain cancer, cancerous spots on her liver and lymph nodes in her chest in 2005.

“The Relay is a celebration — it’s an enjoyment to see the community come out and support us and be around people that have had cancer,” Bryant said, standing under her tent after two people came by for a free massage.

Bryant said the support shown during Relay lifts the spirits of cancer patients and bolsters those in remission.

“The best thing people can do is acknowledge someone has cancer,” she said. “Where I was working, one of my company (vice presidents) would call me ‘Baldy,’ and one of our maintenance men called me ‘Pinky.’”

Wearing a close-cropped haircut and a Cheshire-cat grin, she said having cancer altered her personality for the better.

“It has changed me because now I always have a smile on my face,” said Bryant, a formerly “very shy person.”

A member of Lindsay Lane Baptist Church’s east campus, Bryant said she believes there is a spiritual purpose helping her defy medical odds. She is marking her seventh year in remission despite having four types of cancer in a two-year span.

“God has healed me because statistically speaking, i should have been dead in 2005,” she said. “But God’s not finished with me yet.”

By the numbers

Preliminary numbers showed 43 teams with nearly 400 participants that embraced the “Limestone vs. Cancer: Teaming Up for A Cure” theme, raising more than $67,000 from September 2013 through April. This year’s goal is $108.108, with the fundraising cycle ending in August.

Teams at the Relay sold everything from bourbon chicken and paint classes to cupcakes and carnations. Organizers are expected to release the amount raised from Friday and Saturday by early next week.

Last year’s top fundraiser, T & C Stamping in Athens, is leading all Limestone teams with $27,117, buoyed by the group’s first golf tournament held April 24 at Canebrake Club. The TEE Cup tourney raised $8,400 and drew 13 teams.