The B.C./Yukon division of the Canadian Cancer Society is more than $180,000 richer, thanks to the combined efforts of Dawson City and Whitehorse.

The two communities recently held their annual Relay For Life fund-raisers, which this past weekend was put on in Shipyards Park for the first time ever.

"There are some things that are important in life and this is certainly one of them," said Yukon MP Larry Bagnell, who was the master of ceremonies for the Whitehorse Relay For Life. "Yukoners always come through when the people and families are in need. So a heartfelt thanks to everyone who gave generously in both time and donations."

Heading into Saturday, there were around 40 relay teams registered for the Whitehorse relay, however many more participants signed up before it began later that night.

Each member on a team donated $20 and received a Canadian Cancer Society T-shirt.

The approximately $180,000 didn't include a silent auction, sale of luminaries and other donations made on Saturday.

In addition to a lot of walking around a loop in Shipyards Park, there were musical performances, live entertainment and inspirational speeches.

Relay teams hoped to have at least one member walking at all times for the 12-hour event. Luminaries (bags lit up by candles) decorated the loop. Each bag had a message written on it, including a group up on a hill that spelt the word ‘Hope'.

Storm Blakley has participated in a number of Relay For Life's in both the Yukon and B.C., but Saturday marked a first for her.

In front of a large crowd during the opening ceremonies, Blakley had her head shaved in celebration of meeting a fund-raising goal.

Blakley's Team Hodge Podge raised an estimated $1,200, which was four times the number they were hoping for.

Not only did the group surpass its goal, but Blakley also donated her hair to the Canadian Cancer Society.

"I have been wanting to cut my hair short for a while anyway, just because of the heat," she said. "I just wanted to cut it short, and then I thought if I am going to cut it short I might as well go all the way."

Blakley wore an orange scarf over her head, saying she wanted to protect it from bugs and the sun.

"I'm a red head," she said. "We burn in the sun, that's what we do."

This wasn't the first time Blakley cut her hair for a cancer fund-raiser, however she said she never shaved it before.

Despite the fact that she had been growing her hair out for approximately three years, it didn't take her brother, Bill, much longer than a few minutes to finish with the clippers.

"I couldn't believe that it went that fast," she said. "I thought it would have taken way longer."

Blakley said the lack of hair felt more comfortable in the warmer weather, adding she hasn't decided whether to grow it back out or keep it short.

She hopes more people will get involved with the relay next year.

"I just think more people should volunteer because it's an awesome thing and we need as much help as we can get to beat this thing," Blakley said. "There are too many people that are being taken by (cancer)."