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Relay for Life sets records
The 12th Annual Relay for Life in Cherokee County raised $151,000, surpassing this year's goal of $125,000 and last year's record of $110,000 raised. "It was the best relay ever," said co-chairman of the Relay Rod Springer. "It set all kinds of records. It was a celebration of life and we did celebrate." The event at Konehete Park in Murphy began Friday as 100 survivors of cancer made the traditional Survivor's Walk. Then, 40 teams participated in the Team/Banner Walk. Springer said there were a record number of participants in the Relay, about 1,000. There was also a record number of luminarias, lit candles honoring those who have survived cancer or remembering those who have died from the disease. There were over 1,000 luminarias. The youngest cancer survivor in the Relay was fourmonth old Zachary William and the oldest was 90-yearsold. Allie Dockery helped lead the Team/Banner Walk. The Hiwassee Dam High School senior will graduate in June. Dockery was diagnosed at age four with AML Leukemia. "I remember at age four not having any hair," Allie said. She began to understand what she had when she was six or seven-years- old. Her father, George Dockery, said Allie required a lot of followup chemotherapy. He said Allie still has a shunt in her head, but, through the grace of God, she has not had any severe side effects. Allie has been playing sports since the third grade. "It (cancer) hasn't slowed me down or limited me," Allie said. She has walked in all 12 Relays for Life - beginning when she was six-years-old. She plans to continue. Allie was awarded a $1,000 scholarship from the American Cancer Society. She plans to go to Tri- County Community College and study Special Education. Springer started the Relay by telling the crowd that Dr. F. Linford Abernathy, a local long-time optometrist, died Friday following a two-year fight with cancer. He noted that the first Relay had a goal of $15,000. The Survivor's Walk included a mother and daughter - Elizabeth Morgan (mother) and Elizabeth Almond (daughter), both from Marble. Almond discovered that she has cancer six months ago. Morgan is an eight-year survivor. "It is a miracle that mother is alive," said Almond. "I am happy for all of the survivors and for the ones that are going to be survivors." The evening included games, music, dancing, and barbecue cooked and sold by St. William Catholic Church and the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department. Diane Crowder sang and dedicated her first song to those who just found out that they might have cancer. Crowder said she was told last week that she may have pre-cancerous cells. The Luminaria service was a solemn few minutes as 1,000 glowing candles lined the walking path around Konehete Park. Sioux Tools, a rookie team at the Relay, was the first place team, breaking the record by raising $23,000. Second place was Murphy First United Methodist Church, which raised $13,000. Third place was Tri-County JobLink Center, raising $12,600. The top individual fund raiser was Don Faircloth, a member of First United Methodist Church. He raised over $7,500. A number of dedicated people camped out all night at the park. Breakfast was donated by McDonald's Saturday and closing ceremonies were held after that. BB&T won an award. The Murphy Middle School Junior Beta club won Team Spirit. Murphy First Baptist Church won the Best Campsite. Bosom Buddies (Carolyn Bryant and Barbara Hughes) raised over $8,000. The Sheriff's Department Ray of Hope raised over $8,100. United Community Bank won the Best Bank. The DJ for the event was Ed Cloud, from WCNG. Jeff Crain san a song he wrote "I Am a Survivor". (See page 10C for more Relay for Life pictures.) |
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