RELAY FOR LIFE: Fund-raiser draws hundreds, earns over $67,000

By WILL STEWART / Staff Reporter for the Southern Standard

Cancer survivors, from left, Mike Steakley, Wally McClerren, Pat McClerren and Louis Madewell, lead the Survivor’s Lap to kick off Warren County’s Relay for Life event Friday night. Phillip Stout is seen in the background. (Will Stewart photo)

While it may have dampened their bodies, intermittent rain didn’t damped the spirits or enthusiasm of the hundreds of participants in Warren County’s first Relay for Life, which lasted from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. yesterday at Nunley Stadium and raised over $67,000 to continue the fight against cancer.

“I just don’t think it could have been any better. I was absolutely blown away,” said event co-chair Carole Cathcart. “I’m totally exhausted, but it’s a good exhaustion, one that comes from knowing you’ve done something so good and so worthwhile.”

“I’m so impressed with everyone’s enthusiasm and dedication. Even though it rained they didn’t pack up and leave. They were here for a cause bigger than themselves and they really came through.”

Relay for Life is the signature fund-raising event of the American Cancer Society. The local event featured hundreds of participants on 41 teams from across the community who, in exchange for pledges, stayed up all night to walk numerous laps around the track during the 12-hour period.

While the lap walking was the centerpiece of the fund-raising event, it was far from the only draw. In what can be described as a carnival-like atmosphere, walkers and the many other attendees could participate in or patronize a bevy of tents on the football field that were used to raise further funds for the American Cancer Society in such ways as food sales, a petting zoo, hair cuts, karaoke, and the like.

The event kicked off Friday night with a Survivor’s Lap, in which all cancer survivors were invited to walk and be honored. These survivors, as well as those who have fallen to cancer, were honored and remembered later in the evening during a luminaria ceremony, during which time the track was lighted by only by candles.

American Cancer Society community representative Josh Allen was on hand for the event and said he was very impressed with the local Relay for Life.

“This is awesome for a first-year event. It’s phenomenal,” he said. “Actually, it’s awesome for any year. I don’t want to sell this short.”

Cathcart said a Relay for Life wrap-up party will be held later this month. During this time the final amount of monetary donations will be announced. She said she expects a few thousand more dollars to trickle in over the next couple of weeks.

“For our first year this has been great and next year we want it to be even bigger and better,” she said.