TORONTO — While the lives of two local women were cut short by cancer, their impact on their families has led them to hold a race to raise funds for others battling the disease.

The Lou Ann Burchfield and Kathy Hannan Hale Colors of Cancer Memorial 5K Run-Walk will return on Aug. 10.

The race’s name comes from the fact its organizers invite participants to wear colors representing various forms of cancer and from the two women who inspired it.

A 1980 graduate of Toronto High School, Lou Ann McCart Burchfield had operated a daycare business in her home for 15 years and was a member of the Nazarene Church prior to her death, at the age of 46, in 2008.

Kathy Hannan Hale met many people as a clerk at Toronto’s Ben Franklin Store and Stacey’s IGA. She died from cancer at age 70 last year, when the families decided to form Sunshine Charity Inc. to help cancer patients with various expenses related to their care and daily lives.

Burchfield’s daughters — Natalie, Arica, Felicia and Susie — and Hale’s daughters — Alicia and Krista — also decided to launch an annual race in their honor.

Hoping to draw at least 100 participants, the first run last year included 150 runners and walkers of all ages.

All were invited to don colors of a form of cancer that was close to them.

Pink is well known as a color representing breast cancer, but other colors and combinations of certain colors have been used to represent other forms of the disease.

Participants in the run also are welcome to wear multiple colors to acknowledge its many forms.

The sisters have announced the timed run again will start outside Tri-B’s Coffee Shop, one of many businesses that have supported the event, at 9 a.m., with walkers to depart from the same site at 9:05 a.m.

The course for both will include a scenic route overlooking the Ohio River leading to Old Route 7 and back.

There also will be a 1K Fun Run for children at 10 a.m. and a virtual version of the race, for those unable to attend in person, with registration for it ending on Aug. 8.

Individuals may register for all of the races at https://runsignup.com/Race/OH/Toronto/ColorsofCancerMemorial5K or in person at 8 a.m. on that day.

After they cross the finish line, participants may light a candle or light a balloon in memory or honor of someone who has battled cancer.

The sisters also have invited them to share memories of their loved ones on the race’s Facebook page.

The event is one of four races, benefiting various causes, held in the city.

In light of that, a special medal, bearing images representing each of the four, has been created for those who participate in all.

The first two — the Pat Campbell Fighting Cancer 5K and the Biasi-Shuma Memorial 5K Run-Walk — were held around St. Patrick’s Day and Independence Day, respectively.

The Burchfield-Hale run will be followed by the T-Town Turkey Trot, which will be held early Thanksgiving Day.