RALEIGH — Nearly everyone who passed by the Rex Healthcare cafeteria Wednesday stopped at Elie Smith’s bake sale. With two tables full of $1 treats, she sometimes raises $700 in a matter of hours.

Smith, who works in physician relations, has managed to get nearly the entire hospital on board with her favorite cause: the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s annual Light the Night Walk, which will be held Saturday in downtown Raleigh. A few days ahead of the walk, her team at Rex had raised $31,500 for blood cancer research.

That number doesn’t come from a big corporate donation. It’s largely the result of grass-roots fundraising – selling T-shirts and baked treats at lunch or hitting up co-workers, family members and friends for a small donation.

“What’s special is how so many people can make a difference,” Smith said.

The Light the Night Walk’s mission hits close to home for Smith, herself a blood cancer survivor. Her diagnosis came shortly after she dropped her daughter off for college at UNC-Wilmington.

“I didn’t think I was going to see my daughter graduate,” she said.

Thanks to a stem cell transplant nearly a decade ago, Smith made it to the ceremony. She relapsed in 2008 but is cancer-free now. She credits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s fundraising efforts for her state-of-the-art treatments. “I wouldn’t be here without research,” she said, noting that she wants to give back and help others with the disease.

But as with all cancers, the threat’s never completely gone.

“Once you get diagnosed, you never get over ‘when is it coming back,’ ” she said. “My next prayer is for grandkids.”

Still, telling her cancer story isn’t what causes Smith to choke up with emotion. It’s talking about the support she has received while raising money. Since she got involved with the Light the Night Walk six years ago, she has organized countless events, wine tastings, hot dog sales and yard sales. Co-workers from the executive office on down are involved, and dozens of them will walk on Saturday.

Smith said the trick to raising thousands of dollars is simple.

“My biggest thing is don’t be afraid to ask,” she said. “I really think people are willing to help.”

Steve Burris, Rex’s chief operating officer, says it’s hard not to be inspired by Smith’s passion for the cause.

“Her enthusiasm just doesn’t stop,” Burris said. “Elie has one speed, and it’s on.”

Campbell: 919-829-4802