Britton Wade is a survivor.

Britton, 6, was just 5 months old when doctors discovered she had a tumor, but within months she was declared tumor-free.

Following the scare, Britton’s father, Michael, decided to get involved with the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, and he has been a team member ever since.

Michael and many others got together Jan. 28 as part of the North Shelby Relay for Life kickoff party at Oak Mountain Lanes.

“We’ve been involved in Relay since the spring of 2005,” Michael said. “The further out we get, the better the chances are that Britton’s tumor won’t come back. It’s extremely unlikely now, but we stay involved (with Relay) and do anything we can do.”

It’s people like Michael and Britton that help make Relay a success each year, said Kylee Patrick, the ACS development representative.

“People are still fighting and a lot of survivors come back and join Relay and they do so with a purpose,” Patrick said.

The ACS offers cancer patients and their families resources such as patient services, support groups, educational materials and even helps research funding.

“This is why we get together,” Patrick said. “This is a way for the community to fight back.”

Anyone interested in signing up a team can go to RelayforLife.org/northshelby for more information.

The annual North Shelby Relay for Life event is scheduled for June 11 at 6 p.m. at Pelham High School.