The American Cancer Society Relay for Life held in Bay Minette exceeded their goals for 2007.
The group was attempting to raise $35,604 for their work in the fight against cancer.
They raised $50,000.
The relay event was held at Baldwin County High School Friday night where 16 teams were scheduled to be part of the relay. The evening began with a survivor’s reception in the cafeteria and ended at midnight with an award ceremony.
Many teams and individuals walked in support of friends and family they have lost to cancer. The Angel Wings team walked in memory of Kathy Burt.
Team captain Angela Dorman said, “Today we are hurting because we miss Kathy; however, if we can help others, we want to do just that.”
Some of the teams raised money throughout the year in support of the relay. The North Baldwin Infirmary has held bake sales, cook-outs and T-shirt sales and Perdido Elementary and Middle schools raised money through raffles, a cake auction, out of uniform day and a homemade Easter egg sale.
There were plenty of other activities taking place during the event including a bull ride which was a big hit with kids young and old. Teams participated in a scavenger hunt during the relay which was won by the Pinegrove Elementary School team.
Campsites were set up around the track behind the school. Each team had their own creative “western” theme camps and some sponsored fund-raisers at their site.
The Pine grove School campground was a covered wagon complete with a campfire and a “PGS” branding iron for the “cows.”
The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office theme was “Lock up Cancer.” They held a raffle at their site which was a camper decorated with McGruff the crime dog in cowboy attire, cowboy hats and lassos.
Some of the other fund-raisers were a prize walk, sponsored by Quincy Compressor, a cake auction sponsored by North Baldwin OB/GYN and the “watering hole” sponsored by BCHS.
There was lots of entertainment throughout the evening. Baldwin County High School groups performed and people sang karaoke on the stage. The Area Women’s Action Group won the Relay Idol Karaoke.
The American Cancer Society spends about $130 million annually on cancer research. Locally, the money goes to fund programs such as Reach to Recovery in which breast cancer survivors provide one on one support and information to help individuals cope with breast cancer.
Another local program is the Loan Closet. Items such as wigs, hats, scarves and prostheses are available free of charge to those who need them. For more information, go to cancer.org, or call 1-800-ACS-2345.
