There might be a few changes to the Lathrop Relay for Life but the crux of the mission remains the same.

Raise money to find a cure for cancer.

Today at Valverde Park starting at 10 a.m. hundreds of Lathrop residents will turn the community park into a rally zone for the fight against cancer – honoring those who have survived, those are fighting, and those who have lost the battle.

While the standard 24-hour format has been adapted to a 12-hour format this year, organizers like Linda Rose are optimistic for the community support that has thrived since the event began in 2009 and hope that the event serves its two-fold purpose to raise both money and awareness for a disease that will affect everybody at some point in their life.

Last year the organizers, headed by Tamara Edwards, raised nearly $60,000 for the American Cancer Society.

Linda Rose, who has been involved with the effort since it began, said that she doesn’t think that they’ll reach the same funding level as they did last year, but remains optimistic that the community will once again throw their support behind the effort.

“The reason that I do this is the same reason that every one of us that do this is so dedicated,” Rose said. “That $1 that you earn can be the dollar that miraculously is the one that is needed to cure at least one strain of cancer and annihilate it. You can hope that you can make a difference and you can make a difference.

“Any kind of donation can make a difference. I truly believe that.”

The Relay for Life runs today from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Valverde Park located on 5th Street. The survivor lap, which honors all of those who battled cancer and come through the other side, will begin shortly after the opening ceremonies, and the Luminaria lap – where people purchase bags with candles to pay tribute to those who have fallen to the disease – is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.