More than 1,800 people will be running on the streets of Brookhaven this weekend in support of a good cause.

The 4th Annual Big Peach 5K to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training is scheduled for Saturday.

One of those runners will be Decatur resident Sally Last.

“I love the cause,” Ms. Last said. “This race is all about helping those in need and I am happy to be a part of it.”

The race will start at the Brookhaven MARTA Station and end 3.1 miles away at the Big Peach Running Co. store in the Cherokee Plaza Shopping Center.

According to Karen Kaye, director of community relations and communication with Big Peach Running Co., the race steadily has grown each year from 600 runners to 1,800 runners, the most the race has ever seen.

“The race has grown a lot over the years,” Ms. Kaye said, “And we hope that it continues to do so.”

After last year’s race, Big Peach Running Co. was able to donate $12,000 to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Ms. Kaye said she is hoping that amount is met or exceeded this time around.

Team In Training is a fund-raising program of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

For the past 21 years, more than 389,000 participants have trained with the program and, in the process, have helped raise money by participating in marathon events nationwide.

Proceeds from them went to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, which have chapters all across the country, to find cures for leukemia, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma and myeloma.

Leukemia is a malignant disease of the bone marrow and blood, which is characterized by the uncontrolled accumulation of blood cells.

Lymphoma is general term for a group of cancers.

According to data with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, more than 894,000 Americans are battling leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Team in Training Marketing Manager Javier DeJesus said the event has provided much needed dollars to help fight against blood cancer.

“The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and Team In Training are appreciative of Big Peach Running Co.’s support through their annual 5K run/walk,” he said. “We are proud to be the charity beneficiary of the race for the fourth straight year.”

Ms. Kaye said that the race is not only a way for the community to help fund research but also to have a good time.

“[Big Peach Running Co.] is a very community oriented company.

“This was our way of giving something back to the community. Taking something routine like a race and adding a party atmosphere to it.”