The Marion County Relay for Life went over its goal at Saturday night’s event.
The total announced during the closing ceremony was $43,699, topping the goal of $40,000.
The Senior Development Manager of the American Cancer Society Stephanie Smith was pleased.
Smith says, “Reaching the goal is always just such a wonderful thing to see at the end of the night. We always love just being able to celebrate that achievement because it’s a very big deal to get to your goal and achieve it the night of the event. I’m very proud of this community and this committee that put this event on and made it so successful.”
In addition to other fundraising efforts, about 400 luminaries were sold to honor those who have survived cancer, are battling cancer, or have lost their battle with the disease.
Smith explained how the money raised is used.
Smith says, “(The money goes) to help the American Cancer Society’s mission and to help end cancer as we know it for everyone. That goes into groundbreaking research. It also provides patient services to cancer patients in our community, whether it’s free rights for treatment or free lodging. We have a 24/7 helpline that’s available to them 365 days a year.”
Smith notes the Relay for Life is more than a one-night event as the 18 teams do a lot of fundraising before the annual event.
The event at the Marion County Fairgrounds featured a survivors reception, an opening lap by survivors and then with their caregivers, as well as an Emergency Services Lap and concluding with the lighting of the luminaries.
The Marion County Fire Service Honor Guard leads the Survivor’s Lap. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Caregivers’ Lap. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
The Emergency Services Lap. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Entertainment by Joel Young. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Playing the cakewalk to win cakes. Photo by Bruce Kropp.
Luminaria line the track outside the grandstand of the Marion County Fairgrounds Saturday night. Photo by Henry Morton.
Lighting the Luminaria. Photo by Henry Morton.
