TEHACHAPI, Calif. -- This is the fourth year Paws for a Cause has participated with Tehachapi’s Relay for Life, and while almost every team participates because they either know a person affected by cancer or they themselves have been affected, Paws for a Cause wants to remind people cancer doesn’t only strike in humans.

Janet Villasenor lost her beloved chow four years ago to stomach cancer, that’s when she decided to increase awareness of cancer in pets and start her own team at Relay for Life.

“I think there are a lot of people that just ignore symptoms, just like humans, they ignore things. And I think that it’s important, that if you catch it at an early stage, there’s prevention. You can prevent it,” said Villasenor.

Paws for a Cause raised over $8,000 last year at the event, and this year they hope to raise even more.

And while all the money goes to the American Cancer Society, members of the group said pets will benefit also.

Team member Melissa Rails said, “A lot of people don’t understand that all cancer research started with the animals. The drugs have to be tested on the animals, and the animals also get the same kind of cancers as humans. So, if we can find a cure for human cancer, it will filter on through so we can help save some of our animals from cancer too.”

While everyone has a different story, whether you are relaying for a friend, family member or pet, everyone’s reason is the same, to raise money to fight back and find a cure for cancer.

Veterinarian Beverly Billingsley said, "Obviously, I have a human interest and as a veterinarian, I have an animal interest. Animals, as well as people get cancer and we’re all mammals, so much of the same medical technologies are appropriate for both. And I just want to go out there and raise a bunch of many for the cause.”

Tehachapi’s Relay for Life kicks off Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and ends Sunday at 9 a.m.

There are over 50 teams participating, but everybody is invited to the event.

It will be held at Coy Burnett Stadium located at 711 E. Tehachapi Blvd.