Teri Jo Joslin is poised to celebrate her 50th birthday next week, but on Saturday she celebrated her 14th birthday, as she’s been cancer free for nearly a decade and a half.

The Food Services manager at Cape Coral High School was one of the dozens of cancer survivors who took the honorary survivor’s lap at the Relay for Life on Saturday.

Joslin said she relishes every day of her life, having survived a double mastectomy, and that everything simply “tastes sweeter” having fought the disease.

“Every day is a blessing. I’m celebrating my birthday next week but I’m also celebrating today. I love my life,” she said.

The Relay for Life put teams of walkers on the track and Ida Baker High School for 18 straight hours of fund raising.

Hundreds of people took part not only to raise money, but to honor people who have fought the disease and to honor those that lost the battle.

Ida Baker Principal Melissa Robery said she went from having what she thought was just flu-like symptoms to having full blown colon cancer.

“I was preparing for the fight of my life,” she said.

Dozens of flags lined the ground in front of the stage where live bands kept walkers entertained, each one representing someone who is, or was, fighting cancer.

“I know how important the work of the American Cancer Society is,” Robery said. “Relay for Life is about celebrating heroes.”

Teri Jo Joslin said that even though she celebrates every single day of her life, the fear of the disease making a return is always in her mind.

It never truly leaves, she said, and every day she’s reminded of how lucky she is to be alive.

“Every time I have a pain, a cough or get a headache, I worry,” Joslin said. “It’s an odd mix of emotions.”