DAPHNE — A little rain didn’t dampen spirits at Friday’s opening ceremony for the 2007 Eastern Shore Relay for Life.

And when the event ended Saturday, a total of $123,000 had been raised locally to help the American Cancer Society.

“This is always an amazing event because of all the amazingly dedicated people who make it possible,” said Carolyn Marston, ACS/ Baldwin County community representative.

“But this amount is the most that has been raised in the past few years,” she said.

About 35 teams participated, including many newly organized teams, Marston said.

Participants were primarily from Spanish Fort, Daphne and Fairhope, she said.

Two other relays were also held Friday, including one at Bay Minette and another at Foley, Marston said.

Funding is crucial because it helps with the organizational goal “to prevent cancer, save lives and diminish suffering from cancer,” she said.

Basic organizational activities include cancer research, public education, advocacy work and services for cancer patients and their families, Marston said.

“Cancer is so common, it is pretty unusual to find a family now that hasn’t been touched by it at some point,” she said. “And that provides motivation for a lot of people; They are very dedicated to this cause.”

An important part of each relay is honoring cancer survivors and remembering those who’ve lost their life to cancer, Marston said.

She estimated that approximately 100 cancer survivors and their family members attended two local receptions held to honor them.

One was held at Riley Hall in Daphne on April 26 and the other was hosted by Wiregrass Hospice at Friday night’s event, Marston said.

Survivors also play an important part in the relay, she said.

“It’s the cancer survivors who kick off our event by walking the first — or what we like to call a victory — lap of the evening,” Marston said.

“And it’s always so touching as the other team members begin to fall in with them,” she said.

The annual event is successful because of team members (some raise funds year-round), corporate sponsors and other event volunteers, Marston said.

“We just couldn’t do this without so many wonderful people being involved,” she said.

Melita Nissen, a Thomas Hospital communication specialist who helps do publicity for the event, said she’s grateful that no one in her family has had cancer.

“But I do have a good friend who lost both parents due to cancer, so I’ve seen how much pain it can cause,” Nissen said.

She’s been involved for eight years and has no intention of quitting this volunteer work, Nissen said.

“I really like how this event is based on the unselfish acts of so many people; folks who are doing this because they truly care about others,” she said.