Diane and Charles Black join fellow cancer survivors in a celebration lap during the annual Habersham County Relay for Life. (photo/Daniel Purcell)
A stormy forecast didn’t dampen the mood at this year’s Habersham County Relay for Life. Participants simply moved their fundraising party inside!
About 150 people attended Friday night’s relay inside the Dewey H. Tench Pavilion at the Habersham County Fairgrounds in Clarkesville. (The event was originally scheduled for Pitts Park but organizers moved it indoors due to the forecast.)
The relay is part of a community wide fundraising campaign for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Relay For Life Community Manager Cameron Lopez says $4,871.49 in donations was turned in on the night of the event while $48,182.81 has been raised in Habersham County so far this year.
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This year’s presenting sponsor was Billy Cain Ford of Cornelia.
The local Relay for Life is one of thousands held in more than 5,200 communities around the U.S. and in 26 other countries, says Lopez. It’s ACS’s signature fundraising event. “Without this event,” she says, “the American Cancer Society would not be able to fund cancer research like we do and would not be able to help cancer patients during their time of need.”
While fundraising is important, Lopez says the impact of Relay for Life reaches far beyond funding.
“Relay For Life can be a place for those affected by cancer to find healing and make peace with possibly the worst time in their life,” she says. “It’s also a place for the community to witness first-hand the effect cancer has on individuals where they live.”
Cancer’s impact on Habersham County was evident Friday.
The Survivor’s Lap drew dozens of Habersham Countians who have fought back and beaten cancer. The Luminaria Ceremony honored survivors and patients and memorialized those who have died from the disease. “It was a beautiful display off the impact cancer has had on the citizens of Habersham County,” says Lopez. “It definitely confirms that our fight is not over. There’s still work to do.
If you’d like to be a part of that work, there are more fundraising and volunteer opportunities available to you. Contact Cameron Lopez at 770-297-1176 or [email protected].
Click HERE for more photos of the 2017 Habersham County Relay for Life
