LUMINARIA: Each light memorializes one life claimed by cancer and spurs on those walking to continue fighting and donating until a cure can be found for all.
Anderson's first Relay for Life raised $30,000 for cancer research and American Cancer Society outreach efforts, event manager Bob Logan said of the 24-hour fund-raiser.
The event was so successful, the Cancer Society gave Logan a "Pace Setter" award for meeting or exceeding the event's goals.
Participants formed 30 teams, each raising funds and sharing time walking at the Anderson Union High School stadium.
Several bought necklaces to which they added a bead for each lap walked. To pass time, people played volleyball or exercised with Zoomba dancers. Musicians performed live when a disc jockey was not providing music.
"It's been a great day," Chris Dahlgren said, adding that she saw some people skipping for fun and even running laps.
One Anderson resident, Jewel Casey, 63, finished about three miles using a walker. Another made laps in a wheelchair, she noted.
"I'm disabled. I didn't think I could do it, but I just went out and did it," Casey said. "The first lap was pretty scary...."
Casey said she would return at 6 a.m. for three more miles.
About 100 people walked at 9 p.m. when 170 luminaria, candles inside paper bags, were lit around the track. Participants listened to poetry readings about cancer survival and shared stories about loved ones lost until the lanterns faded.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 1
Shanae writes:
Andersons first Relay For Life turned out very good!!
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