Darby DeRuyter and Amy Shuckburgh were at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre when the Relay for Life's spring sign-up event was happening and a teacher encouraged the 10-year-olds to enter.
Thinking it would be a lot of fun and a great cause the girls jumped at the chance.
"We put together a team and didn't know if it would work or not,” DeRuyter said, ducking out of the rain at a tent the team had set up at the actual cancer-fighting walk June 7. “But here we are."
They got their friends Josie Wilson and Kyla Kelly, also 10, on board and started the “Redneck Rockettes.”
"People are dying from it,” Kelly said. “You want to help them."
Wilson started hitting up friends, family and teachers.
"It wasn't that tricky because lots of people like to help out,” she said. "We're so happy for the people to do that."
By the time of the event the team had raised more than $3,000 - the second most donations of any team.
DeRuyter says she's just happy to be able to contribute to the cause, especially since her papa had to face cancer.
"My papa was a survivor,” she said. "For anyone else going through this right now I want them to get better."
The group encouraged each other throughout the evening to keep on walking.
"Let's go run ladies," Shuckburgh said as the four girls exited the tent into the inclement weather.
Though the torrential downpour that hit right as the Relay for Life was starting at the Innisfail Jr./Sr. High School complex, the event managed to raise more than $42,000.
Bergen Rieberger, 4, and his grandfather Dan Rieberger, worked to set up a tent to prepare for more rain ahead along with Dan's brother-in-law Ron King.
"My wife passed away from breast cancer six years ago,” King said, noting he was ready for the hours of walking ahead. "You just tough it out. I often lay down for an hour until I get my second wind.”
Everyone seems to know someone who dealt with the disease.
Kandace Bruin, 21, said she was running in memory of her grandma.
Emma Gabert, 8, said her grandma too had cancer.
“You know in your heart after that you wanted to do it,” she said of participating. “You can help a lot of people.”
Brooke Ganje, 11, said the event was a lot of fun, too.
“You walk all night,” she said. “You get protein shakes and food.”
Nobodies Achievement hit the portable stage for a rocking concert before the solemn luminaries ceremony took place, where LED lights were turned on in bags around the football field to remember those who have fought the good fight.
Jada Styner, 12, lit one decorated with a snowflake pattern, in honour of her grandfather, with a smile.
