Members of the Jackson Rancheria team - Walking for Tracy Walker - stand at their tent early Saturday. Members of team "We'll Clothesline Cancer" assemble their tent early Saturday at the 2007 event on Argonaut High School's football field. Luminaria encircle the Argonaut High School football field Saturday night at the 2007 Camp Out For Cancer, at the outset of the ceremony of the reading of the names. A Fun Zone volunteer blows giant bubbles at the soap suds table to the enjoyment of two spectators. The 24-hour walk-a-thon ended 9 a.m. Sunday and raised money for Support, Transportation and Resource Service, which supports cancer patients in Amador County.

Despite an early seasonal chill setting in, there were plenty of warm intentions among the 800-plus people who showed up for the annual Camp Out for Cancer drive - a sign this mission of hope continues to grow stronger every year.

Camp Out for Cancer is put on by Amador Support, Transportation and Resource Services, a grass-roots organization dedicated to supporting local cancer patients through their struggles, as well as raising funds for on-going cancer research. The group was formed in part because it's often difficult for small, rural communities to obtain national funds for assistance in those areas. Year by year Amador STARS, and their many generous sponsors, are making it possible for the community to help cancer-sufferers on its own.

Camp Out for Cancer is Amador STARS' largest annual fund-raising event. In four years it's also become the biggest charity fund-raiser on the county's entire calendar. Ginger Rolf, one of its organizers, believes the overwhelming support demonstrates how many people have been touched by cancer in their lives. "Almost everybody has watched a loved one face cancer - whether its happens with our family, friends or neighbors, cancer is something that affects all of us."

Camp Out for Cancer earns its donations by putting walking/camping teams together. Each team member raises $100 or more through personal or corporate sponsorship. This year's event was held on the football field at Argonaut High School. People set their tents up on the lawn, though most people spent the day and night walking in circles around the track. According to Rolf, the symbolism of walking non-stop and remaining at the event is to honor the endurance of what it takes to battle cancer: "A cancer patient lives with cancer 24-7. Cancer doesn't stop at night, so we walk all night to remind ourselves of that."

Between the live music and games, there were plenty of individuals who stood out in their efforts. One example was Rosemarie Zwieg, who shaved her head in support of a close friend living with cancer at the moment. Zwieg had set a personal goal of raising $5,000 by the end of the event. People were cheering her on as the shaving commenced, and with some last minute corporate sponsorship she finally met her goal.

Camp Out for Cancer puts 90 percent of its proceeds into assisting with local cancer needs, with the other 10 percent going to research.

This year, Amador STARS were aided greatly by a large number of the community's youth, with the S Club, Key Club, Interact Club and Amador Cheerleaders all donating time and resources to help with the event. In all, more than 180 teenagers rolled up their sleeves and got involved with making it happen, a figure Rolf said was "really awesome to see." There were also entire families participating in the team action, a sign that cancer doesn't pick age groups when turning people's lives on their heads.

Laura Imperial, a cancer survivor, was happy to see so many people of different ages involved. "It's a fabulous thing to see this kind of cooperation and caring in everyone, and how our community comes together on nights like this," she said. "We have more power than we think. We might be a small community, but we're mighty."

Clyde Marney is a long-time cancer survivor. This year he was on Camp Out for Cancer's Team No. 5, sponsored by the Immaculate Conception Men's group. He and his wife, Virginia, feel the event is one of the most important causes people from the county can get involved in. "When you get the news you have cancer, it's tough," he said. "There are young people here tonight with it, whose lives can't just stop. They have to find a way to be positive and fight and still do all the regular things in their lives they have to do. They need our support. I think it's really hopeful to see everyone out here putting time in, and to know that this is how bad everyone wants to find a cure. The thing is, sometimes the cure seems too far away, but we have to try, and we have to help those who are struggling with it now. When you look around on a night like this, you see just how many people care."