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www.BurlesonCrowley.com
More than $226,000 raised for Relay
By By Danielle Novy/bcnews@trcle.com
May 9, 2008, 12:40
Tears and laughter were shared April 25 as community members came together at Relay For Life of Burleson to fight cancer and celebrate those who have suffered from the disease.
An unprecedented $226,794 was raised by the event’s end, and an additional $5,000 has been donated since, said Brenda Gammon, event chair and cancer survivor. The figure topped both last’s year’s total of $219,515 and the 2008 goal of $220,000.
“I feel exhilarated, thrilled, proud,” Gammon said. “We’re just celebrating and thankful.”
The funds will go directly to the American Cancer Society to be spent on cancer research and care in Johnson County, she said.
Teams composed of 15 members walked around Kerr Middle School’s track from 6 p.m. April 25 until 6 a.m. April 26, an exercise intended to emulate how exhausted cancer patients feel during treatment. Meanwhile, teams sold food and hosted activities to raise money.
Gammon said the quiet luminaria service honoring those who passed away from cancer and the Survivor Walk, which is a lap walked only by cancer survivors, was her favorite part of the 12 hour fundraiser. She said 275 survivors came out for the event.
“I also talked to a man who had lost his wife to cancer two months ago,” Gammon said. “Coming was really hard for him, but he came to honor his wife.”
Others also participated in the event in memory of loved ones, and some had unique ways of raising money.
A team called “Busting Cancer with Bingo” hosted a small bingo tournament in honor of Pat Smith, who died from cancer years ago. The 6-year-old family team featured three cancer survivors, including Donna Jackson.
“Relay is great every year, and this year has just been really good,” Jackson said. “The turnout increases every year.”
The impressive turnout was aided by a night of clear skies, an aspect that thrilled the event’s organizers.
“Rain was my worst fear, but we couldn’t have asked for a better night, for better weather,” said Donyelle’ Allen, who was in charge of the fundraiser’s facilities. “Now, everyone is so excited, and they just want to get rid of cancer.”
Live music, games and fresh food offered endless entertainment well past nightfall.
“I went in the bounce house,” said 3-year-old Cole Rose as he circled the track with his mother, Sheryl Rose.
“We got involved in Relay with our church, First United Methodist,” Sheryl Rose said. “We sell hot dogs and sausage-on-a-sticks. Also, my father-in-law had cancer, and that’s another reason it hits home.”
Burleson Public Information Officer Chris Havens, who supervised the event, said Relay is special to him because he was close to someone who had the disease.
“Ofelia Blair, our first criminal investigation clerk, we lost her to cancer around 2001,” he said. “After that, I got involved. The event just grows and grows, which means more money for the cure.”
Others discovered the event through organizations they are members of. Glenn and Meah Wilson said they have lived in Burleson for two years and heard about the fundraiser from their children’s school.
“Our kids go to Living Water (Church) Day School, and we wanted to support the cause,” Meah Wilson said. “The turnout is great; I’m just really impressed.”
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