The 2017-18 Clinton County Relay For Life event was held on Friday, April 20 from 3-10 p.m. at Clinton County High School with the theme “Passport to a Cure.” The event turned out to be one of most successful, exceeding its goal-by over $1,600.

The Relay For Life Committee goal for the year was $52,000, but a total of $53,568.39 was raised and there were also some 22 cancer survivors who took part in last weekend’s event.

The event was well attended at CCHS and featured many activities throughout the night.

The survivor dinner was held from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the cafeteria. The meal was sponsored by Hunter Shearer and Hunter’s BBQ. The desserts were sponsored by Dr. Tracy Cross.

The opening ceremony began at 6 p.m. with the ROTC Color Guard, Alumni Band and Bro. Bob Sawyer giving the opening prayer.

Survivors were recognized and took the opening lap around the gym with the Alumni Band playing “Happy Birthday To You.” Caregivers then joined the survivors when they carried balloons and walked outside to release the balloons together. Awards were given to the youngest, oldest and longest survivors.

Teams were recognized and made a team lap around the gym. The teams consisted of Keystone Foods, LLC; The Medical Center of Albany; Albany Elementary School; Early Childhood Center; Clinton County High School; CCHS Cheerleaders; Clinton County Middle School; and Roberts’ Pharmacy.

Sponsors for this year’s event were also recognized. Sponsors were: State Farm; Farm Bureau; Monticello Banking Company; Davis Insurance Group; Dyer Drug; People’s Bank of Albany; First and Farmers National Bank; Shearer Drug; Keystone Foods, LLC-Kentucky; Albany Redi-Mix; Kelly’s Jewelry; Tracy Cross, MD; Roberts’ Pharmacy; Hunter’s BBQ and The Medical Center of Albany.

A new event, the “Celebrity Chef Cookin’ For a Cure” event was also a big success in its initial year. Seven teams participated with the public paying $5 to sample food and vote for their favorite.

Teams participating included Lamon Hubbs, BBQ, chips and dessert; Johnny Russell, chili; Hershell Key, coconut cake; Robin Braswell Clark, chicken and dumplings; Stacy Smith, watermelon/tomato salad and corn, cucumber and bean salsa; Junior Cecil, smoked bologna and tenderloin; Richard Armstrong, grilled chicken; and Tim Armstrong, homemade pepperoni pizza.

The first place winner was Lamon Hubbs and second place was Tim Armstrong.

The silent auction was held throughout the night with many items to bid on. The teams also had booths set up representing various countries such as the USA, USA/Hawaii, Dominican Republic, Mexico and Paris, France.

Other events included the cake walk and the Albany Elementary School Choir performing many songs.

The Survivor/Caregiver speech was given by Amy Gibson’s cousin, Marcy Little, on Amy’s behalf. She told of how Amy was diagnosed and the fight and battle that she had against cancer. It was a wonderful speech honoring Amy Gibson.

The event ended with the lighting of the luminaries around 9 p.m. and the reading of the names of those In Honor Of and In Memory Of. Mary Willen Cross performed a Martina McBride song during the ceremony and it ended with the Albany Elementary School Choir singing “Amazing Grace.”

Thank you to all who supported the 2017-18 event and who worked throughout the year to raise funds and awareness. A special thank you to the teams, sponsors, our county and community for another great year for Relay.

In this group of photos, beginning at top and moving down, survivors and caregivers released balloons at the end of opening ceremonies Friday night at the Relay for Life event. Several spectators enjoyed food prepared by groups to showcase the theme of this year’s Relay, “Cooking for a Cure.” The Alumni Band was also on hand to provide musical entertainment for the night. American Cancer Society Regional Director Amanda Messer opened Friday’s ceremony, followed by the playing of the National Anthum by the Alumni Band and the colors presented by the Clinton County JROTC.