Cancer kills millions each year, and for one group of Bedford students, fighting for a cure is their one goal this summer.

Sarah Kossak and Heidi Fraitzl lead a group of Bedford High students who will participate in the Greater Manchester Relay for Life at Livingston Park in June. On Saturday, April 18, they held a spring carnival on York Road to raise money for their team.

“We decided to put on a block party to get the community involved,” said Kossak. “This year is the first year we’re really doing an event because we wanted to get more involved in the process.”

The team first got together for last year’s Relay for Life, and everyone on it has known someone affected by cancer

“My grandfather died from lung cancer (in 2007),” said Kossak. “My grandmother had breast cancer. I did it for them in his memory and for his fight. She survived.”

“Each of us has a reason why we participated in this, and that has brought us together as a team,” said Fraitzl.

Some of the events at the carnival included face painting, raffles, and a performance from a local high school band, Kascade.

There were also games, including a Jell-O eating contest and musical chairs.

“We’re just trying to make as much as we can. Each team member has to raise at least $100 on their own, in addition to today,” said Kossak.

The ultimate goal for the team is to raise $2,000 by June.

The Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s premier event, allowing cancer survivors and their families to celebrate and remember those that have died and fight for survivors. This year’s Relay for Life will be at Livingston Park in Manchester on June 5.

The other students on the team are Justin Collier and his brother Ries, Molly Emerson, Aimee Lafond, Nolan McCall, Alexa Pervanas, Kayleigh Ford, Sam Ferranti, Nicole Jolicoeur, and Lauren Moquin. All are students at Bedford High.

Moquin, new to the team this year, was glad to join and help out.

“I heard last year it was really worth it,” she said. “Everyone has had someone affected by it.” Kossak and Fraitzl admit the team has had a lot of fun along the way.

“We spent three hours making Jell-O this week (for the contest),” said Kossak laughing. “The whole kitchen smelled like artificial strawberry.”

By the end of the day, the students raised $772.65.

The team is also honoring a fellow student, Joe Fong, who lost is battle against leukemia a few years ago.

“It was his birthday this past week,” said Nicole Jolioeur.

To help the team’s cause, donations can be sent to their Web site, main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=16349&pg=teamlist. The team’s name is “Teens for Hope."