Cancer has touched their lives many times, but it can't stop members of one Neville Island family from trying to make a difference in the lives of others.

Peggy Stefanick's father had bone cancer and her father-in-law died of lung cancer. Her husband, John, also had bone cancer, and their son, Myke, was diagnosed with a brain tumor at age 13.

So, each year for 11 years, the Stefanick's have participated in the Relay for Life of Moon to try to give back and help others. With donations the family has collected this year and the funds the teams intended to make at the event, the total raised over the years will reach or extend the $100,000 mark.

"If it wasn't for the research," Peggy says, "my husband and my son wouldn't be here today."

It was almost three decades ago that her husband, John, was diagnosed with bone cancer. At that time, not a lot was known about radiation treatments.

"They just thought more was better," she says.

Now, 28 years later, John has had to go through several surgeries on his leg as a result of the radiation's effect. He just got home after his last surgery a day before the relay.

Peggy says that the relay is so important to him that he participated in his wheelchair, taking the survivor's lap around the RMU Island Sports Center track with his son, Myke, like they do every year.

Myke was diagnosed with a brain tumor 20 years ago. The treatment also had an affect on his bones as well, his mother says.

Since his bones were still growing at age 13, he was given a hormone injection so his growth would not be stunted. But, today that has caused him to have continuous aches and pains.

"He just works around it," his mother says. "He is a wonderful person and looks at every day as a gift."

A sports center employee for five years, he asks everyone he works with for donations every year. John asks people he works with, and he and Peggy also send out letters.

It doesn't stop there. To raise money at the event, the Stefanicks, who have named their team Rockin' Walkers, are famous for selling root beer floats each year. Sewickley Confectionary donated the ice cream and Grogan's Beverage in Coraopolis donates the root beer each year.

Other members of the family also get involved.

The Stefanick's granddaughter, Alexis Alton of Coraopolis, this year's team co-captain, was born the day of the relay nine years ago. Since she began participating, she always organizes a game booth for kids.

Her sister, Desiree, 12, also is very involved, and the newest granddaughter, Alena Ishman, 18 months, made an appearance at the event.

Peggy's sister, Linda Richert of Crescent, also participates and helps to raise money each year. Over the years other team members have come and gone, and Peggy and John were members of the relay board a few years ago.

As for their participation next year, the Stefanicks aren't sure.

Family members have always said they would stop once they reached $100,000, but Peggy says, "If nothing else, we will probably be there selling our root beer floats."