VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The annual Barnes County Relay for Life walk and fundraiser will not be held this year in Valley City.

Co-event coordinator Rad Nicholson said due to a lack of participation the annual event was cancelled this year. He said several fundraisers like Cruise the Valley and the Father Daughter dance and other events will still be used to promote and generate money for the local chapter.

The announcement comes as a shock to many who have volunteered, participated and worked hard to keep the event going.

Over the last two years, the Denton Berntson estate donated nearly $1.3 million dollars to the Relay for Life of Barnes County. The estate donated $790,000 last year and another $500,000 back in 2016. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network said those donations were one of the largest in the nation.