Thunderous applause filled the West Salem High School gymnasium Friday night as Relay for Life’s honorary chair, Kyle Wyss, led more than 40 cancer survivors in the Survivor Lap.

Wyss, an eighth-grader at Melrose-Mindoro Junior High School, was diagnosed with a brain tumor — a medulloblastoma — in December 2004. Since then he’s made great strides in his recovery.

“I remember wondering if Kyle would be able to make it out on the floor on his own,” Kyle’s mother, Cassie, said in a speech before the survivor lap.

At last year’s Relay for Life, Kyle was pushed around the gymnasium in his wheelchair.

This year, with the assistance of his walker, he made the journey around the gym by himself — three times.

His success surprised even his therapist, who recently said one lap could be a challenge for him.

“Thank you everybody,” Kyle said as he looked into the crowd who gave a supportive standing ovation.

Kyle’s Survivor Lap victory was well rewarded with numerous handshakes, hugs and a Mountain Dew Code Red.

But he wasn’t the only winner.

Pins, T-shirts and banners showed the support and personal victories of many people in the area who continue to fight cancer.

Sarah Otto, income development coordinator with the American Cancer Society office in Onalaska, said she couldn’t believe this year’s turnout.

She said that while 18 teams had registered, it was apparent that more were present and ready to walk.

Numbers surprised Otto in more ways than one. With just more than half of the teams turning in their money, prior to Friday night’s event, Relay for Life had already exceeded its goal of raising $35,000 for the American Cancer Society.

A scavenger hunt, coloring contest, relay BINGO, Dude Looks Like a Lady and Macho Woman Contest were a few of the many events taking place at the overnight event.

While hallways filled with sleeping bags and lawn chairs suggested devotion to the event, Otto said they didn’t guarantee anyone would be sleeping during the night.

A minimum of one member from each team walked the gymnasium all night — a symbol of support in the darkness of fighting to overcome cancer.

All teams then gathered Saturday at the 6 a.m. closing ceremony in representation of a victory of life.