Lizzie Dorschel was one of the lucky ones.

Diagnosed with a brain tumor at eight, the Nansemond-Suffolk Academy student beat it. It came back the next year, and she won the battle again.

Unfortunately, many of those afflicted with cancer aren’t as fortunate. That’s why Lizzie, now 12, and some of her classmates are getting a head start on helping them.

Along with her friend Alyssa Grigg, 13, and the rest of the members of the Suffolk Relay for Life team, the Chili Peppers, Lizzie’s already raising funds for the event, which will be held May 20-21 at NSA.

&uot;We asked for donations in the Riverview neighborhood,&uot; Alyssa said, &uot;and we’ve had two bakes sales over the past two weeks. We may have a car wash.&uot;

To date, they’ve raised roughly $600.

&uot;Kids with cancer need help,&uot; said Lizzie, who has walked in the Relay’s Survivor Lap (the event opens with a lap for those who have beaten or are battling the disease) the last four years. &uot;Some cancers don’t have a cure. I feel really bad for (the kids that have it), and I hope they get through it too.&uot;

Alyssa has her own reasons for participating; her father is battling lymphoma

&uot;It’s horrible,&uot; she said. &uot;He can’t do normal things that a parent can do. (When he’s cured), I’ll be so excited.&uot;

jason.norman@suffolknewsherald.com