Brewer - Over one thousand people came together for the Third Annual Champion The Cure Challenge in Brewer. The event raises money for Eastern Maine Medical Center's CancerCare of Maine. Participants could walk, run or bike for the challenge. For event manager Jennifer Lloyd, the reasons so many came together for the challenge was one of the best parts of the day.

"What's so amazing to me are the stories I hear, the lives that are impacted and effected by this event," said Lloyd.

Like Regina Leonard of Hermon. She completed the 10K after raising over $1,000. This wasn't her first time being involved in the event, but it was her first time running.

"It was a really different experience actually participating in the event, becaUSe typically I volunteer for the event but it was a personal goal of mine," said Leonard.

Or Stephen Rich, who joined colleagues to remember a co-worker they lost.

"This is our third year, but this year is of particular importance for us, we had one of our co-workers pass away with cancer this spring, so we are... Here for Rachel," said Rich.

And Kelsey Price, a Hampden senior, who was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma, unable to do the challenge last year, her field hockey teammates walked for her, but, this year was different.

"This year was a lot of fun because I couldn't do it with them last year, I kind of just sat and watched, so it was special," said Price.

Stories like these are the reasons that Lloyd founded the challenge three years ago.

"I know that there are real people that are benefiting from this and when I come out and I'm able to see the volume of people arrive and I hear their personal stories, I'm deeply moved and very humbled that this is apart of my live," said Lloyd.

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