It's a battle most families hope they'll never have to face - the fight against cancer.
But too often, loved ones are ripped away by the disease.
Wendy Butcher, of Willoughby, passed away in January earlier this year after breast cancer made its way into her bones and her brain.
"She was a fighter right up until the end," her husband, Brian Butcher, said.
The pair were married for nearly 42 years and raised two daughters.
"We truly miss her," Brian said.
But, the Butcher's aren't alone in this fight against cancer.
The Giammarco family lost their husband, father and brother after he battled throat and thyroid cancer.
Gino Giammarco passed away last October.
"He was a true family man, who just loved everything about providing for his family," his daughter-in-law, Traci Giammarco, said. "He was very strong and he never wanted to let anyone see how pain and hurt he was."
Gino Giammarco pictured above, middle.
While the Butcher's and Giammarco's have different stories, they were both touched by the Hospice of Western Reserve.
The non-profit company providing care to both families during the tough times.
"It was such a blessing because she was able to stay at home with me," Brian said.
"He was a stubborn Italian man, so it gave us comfort knowing someone was coming into the house and checking on him," Traci said.
On Sunday, the Butchers, Giammarcos and thousands of other families were able to give back to the Hospice of Western Reserve at the annual "Walk to Remember" event at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
Families donate money to walk in honor of their loved one or someone who's still battling a serious illness and in turn helping raise money for other families using Hospice care.
Already, more than $230,000 has been raised for this year's event, which had more participants than in the previous six years.
"Everybody has their own story but we can all come together and support each other," Butcher's daughter, Emily Kaluza said.
"It just kind of helps you to see the sea of people that Hospice [of Western Preserve] provides to," Traci said.
All of the money raised goes towards therapies, programs and experiences Hospice of Western Reserve provides for its patients.
For more information, click here.
