Another Clinton County Relay For Life event has come and gone and once again, several thousand dollars were raised to support the American Cancer Society and its fight against the disease that affects so many lives, including many local residents.

Renee Parrigin, this year’s chairperson of the Relay For Life in Clinton County, said on Monday she was pleased with the overall success of the fundraising event–which actually began early last fall–and the program itself that was held earlier than usual this year, the last weekend in April.

Although the event didn’t reach its goal of $74,000–the goal that has been set the last two years–the program was again a success. As of late Saturday, a little over $66,000 had been collected and Parrigin said a few more donations were coming in, expecting the total amount to be closer to $67,000 this year, slightly below last year’s total.

“The turnout was a little bit down,” said Parrigin. She said one of the reasons probably was that the event was held in April instead of May or early June, as in past years. She noted there was still a lot of activities, including school related events, that may have cut into the turnout and also noted this year the all-night program began on a Friday instead of Saturday. That, she theorized, may have conflicted with people who had to work or had other things already planned for the weekend.

In setting the goal at $74,000 for the past two years, Parrigin noted the Relay committee had rather aim high than low.

Parrigin also noted the number of overall sponsors was down some this year and the crowd wasn’t as large. But she added that some of the team numbers from last year did increase.

“For a county this size, it was a good amount (of money raised),” she said. Again, Keystone Foods set the pace for the most funds raised through efforts that began late last summer, when the committee first meets to begin planning for the next year’s event.

There were between 30 to 35 cancer survivors who also took part this year, about the same amount as last year. She said that although a larger number of cancer survivors had registered, not all were able to attend the actual Relay For Life event.

The program, which had various activities throughout, did go on all night through early Saturday morning and about 35 people were still on hand for the closing of the event.

Although Parrigin didn’t know the exact percentage of local funds raised that stay in the county, she did note that the ACS offered several programs in which cancer patients locally take advantage of and use throughout the year.

Parrigin said there were eight total teams raising money throughout the past several months through various types of fundraising events and the CCHS cheerleaders also helped out with the Kid’s Zone that was a part of the Friday night/Saturday morning program.

The annual Relay For Life has now been held at the high school gym for the past couple of years, being moved from Mountain View Park. One of the reasons behind this was the uncertainty of weather and when an alternate site (to indoors from outdoors has to take place) it is hard getting the word of the location change out in time for a good turnout.

One possible alternative may be to use the CCHS football field as the primary location for the event, so in case of inclement weather, people could move directly into the gymnasium if necessary.

Parrigin noted the Relay Committee puts a lot of work into the event year-round and is always looking for ways to improve and raise more funds each year, despite the downturn in the economy over the past few years.

She noted the committee would no doubt take a look at possibly changing the month and/or night the event is held.

Parrigin said the number of groups, such as churches, businesses and medical offices, have been down and that is probably one area in which the committee will look to increase in participation next year.

The chairperson thanked everyone who helped with the cancer fighting effort during the 2012 Relay For Life, including sponsors, those who donated or volunteered in any way and those–especially cancer survivors–who participated in the event. She also added the committee hopes to continue its newest project called “Paint the Town Purple” next year and also have a live auction as opposed to a silent auction and get more businesses to donate items.

Anyone who is interested in helping raise funds in the fight against cancer are welcome to become part of the Relay For Life Committee, or form a team, etc. Meetings to plan the 2013 event will be held in August or September and persons who wish to help are invited to attend the meetings.

In the top photo, cancer survivors from Clinton County began the traditional first lap around the floor of the gymnasium as the all-night long fundraising event got underway.

Cancer survivor Virginia Bell was one of many survivors who attended last weekend’s Relay for Life event, and she joined others in the opening minutes of the ceremony in paying tribute to our nation during the presentation of colors by the Clinton County High School JROTC.