SURVIVORS OF CANCER LEAD PACK.

Byline: EUGENE TONG Staff Writer

SAUGUS -- Nothing was going to stop Nathan Crookston from rejoining a raging water gun fight Saturday -- not an empty weapon. Not even cancer.

``The times may seem bad, but in the long run, it's good to be alive,'' said Nathan, 12, who was diagnosed in April 2005 with Ewing's sarcoma -- a cancer that attacks bone and soft tissue. He just completed treatment about two months ago.

``And to know that you have a second chance at life, you should do something great.''

The Santa Clarita youngster was among dozens of purple-clad cancer survivors and supporters gathered at Central Park for the 8th annual Santa Clarita Valley American Cancer Society Relay for Life, a 24-hour charity walk.

More than 90 teams entered the round-the-clock walk this year, with teammates taking turns circling a tent village for pledges. Event chair Laura Scott said they aim to raise $550,000 for cancer-related charities and support groups.

One of the teams was organized by Nathan.

``Looking back, now I notice things more and I appreciate things more, and I realize that people are really good more than they are bad,'' the boy said. ``I'm going to finish what I started.''

Though their circumstances differ, Elaine Thomas, 65, shared Nathan's optimism. The Saugus resident has survived breast cancer for 21 years, despite getting the disease twice in three years.

``I'm still here,'' she said, walking a lap beside her 10-year-old grandson. ``I got to see my grandkids.''

Pam Jacobson, 52, of Valencia is still fighting. She was treated for breast cancer five years ago, but the the disease returned last year, and had spread.

``It's a pretty determined little bugger,'' said Jacobson, who just completed chemotherapy and plans to return this fall to teaching at High Desert Junior High School in Acton.

Jacobson urged cancer victims to stay determined and stick with their treatment.

``Once you get on the path, you'll begin to feel better.''

Still, she never asked her doctors how much time she had.

``You have to be brave to ask that question.''

eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com

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5 photos

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(1 -- color) People had many reasons to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life on Saturday. Nearly 100 teams walked around Central Park in Saugus in a 24-hour relay to raise money for cancer research.

(2 -- 3) Above, from left, Bobby Newquist, Bob Ruwwe, Brandon Bell, Brandi Newquist and Hutton Newquist, 2, walk for team United Ribbon of Hope in the Relay for Life. Brandi is a cancer survivor, and her brother, Bob Ruwwe, and family came from out of town to walk with her. George Romero, 8, of Valencia, at left, looks at a breast cancer tumor in a microscope set up by Henry Mayo Newhall Memorial Hospital.

(4 -- 5) Ron Craig, above, of the team Summer Santas keeps the walkers cool as they pass by at the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Central Park in Saugus. At right, all Adam Watson needed was his iPod so he could walk all day Saturday for the Black Belt Academy.

Joel P. Lugavere/Special to the Daily News