Although the annual Clinton County Relay for Life event has always been considered a highly successful event in terms of raising funds for cancer research, whenever the effort meets and exceeds the fundraising goal set at the beginning of each year, the level of success moves up a notch.

The 2017 Relay held last weekend, with a goal of raising $52,000 this year, is another one that moves to that sought after level after the program closed out last Friday night with a preliminary total raised just past that goal amount.

Relay officials reported at the conclusion of last week’s 2017 program that so far, the effort has resulted in $52,012.91 being raised from the local teams and individuals involved in this year’s effort.

In addition, cancer survivors taking part in Friday night’s ceremony saw an increase over the previous year by one, with 33 survivors registering during this year’s Relay for Life.

In the photos at left, the Relay for Life banner is held by cancer survivors and family members and the survivors on hand at Friday’s program prepare to make the opening lap that kicked off the official start of the program.

At bottom left, Amanda Messer, Area Director for regional Relay for Life efforts, welcomes those to the Clinton County gathering in what would have normally been an outdoor balloon release. Strong rains and thunderstorms prevented the balloon release from being held as scheduled, but nevertheless, the rains on the outside of the CCHS gymnasium, did little to dampen the spirits of those working Friday night to make the event another overwhelming success.