Published: June 26, 2008 09:43 am            

Annual Relay event held

June 25, 2008 — The thirteenth annual Carter County Relay For Life took place last Friday. More than 1,300 people attended the event that lasted from 7pm to 7am.

“We were very pleased,” said Relay For Life Spokeswoman Kelly Hanni. “The weather was wonderful and the facility was great.”

The event raised nearly $98,000 in cash donations, but Hanni said they are still expecting enough donations to meet their $107,000 goal.

“The community was so generous with in kind donations,” Hanni said. “The businesses in Grayson and Olive Hill made sure that we had enough prizes to play games all night.”

During the 12 hour event, participants played two games and walked a lap each hour. The time frame symbolizes a day in the life of a cancer patient. Although many people came and went throughout the night, more than 100 attendees stayed for the entire time.

Some new ceremonies were added to this year’s lineup. “During the Fight Back Ceremony, we encouraged everyone there to make a pledge to make a difference,” Hanni explained. “More than 350 people made a personal promise to make a difference in the fight against cancer this year.”

During the Luminaries Ceremony, Torches of Hope were added to the usual candles that are lit in honor or in memory of someone who has fought cancer.

Relay For Life is the signature fund-raiser of the American Cancer Society, with donations funding the fight against cancer and supporting cancer research, education, advocacy and patient support programs. For additional information about the ACS, call 800-ACS-2345 or log on to www.cancer.org.

        

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