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Barbara Copeland King, an eight year cancer survivor, searches for a luminary in her honor during Relay for Life 2010.
Mike Lanier, the accounting chairman for Relay for Life, explained that the total as of Saturday afternoon was $256,208, which was down from last year’s total of $297,480.
Despite the final tallies and not reaching the $335,000 goal for the event, Lanier said he still considered the event a success.
“We have had several new teams this year, and we had a lot of returning teams who stepped up their efforts,” Lanier commented.
The accounting chairman stressed that continued problems with the economy may have been part of the reason for the fall in fundraising totals.
“People last year who would give $200 were only able to give $50 or $75 (this year),” Lanier stressed.
He also pointed out that the official Relay for Life fiscal year does not end until July, and people were still giving more to them.
While many didn’t have the cash flow that they once had two years ago, all those involved just couldn’t help but smile and cheer, knowing that the disease draws a little closer to being conquered with each dollar raised.
Sampson County resident Felesia Buczynski, who came out to support her mom, Betty, a survivor, said she has seen what cancer can do to a family.
“I have lost two aunts to it,” said Buczynski, and she is determined to do her part not to let it continue to win.
Buczynski said her mom is one of the “lucky ones” who has a form of cancer that she can live with, but she knows that this is not always the case.
“I see so many people who are a lot sicker,” commented Buczynski, “(Relay for Life) is really for those who survive this daily.”
While many came to honor friends, family or just to take on the disease and survive themselves, some just came to enjoy themselves and eat some of the treats served during the event, such as ribeye steak sandwiches and ice cream.
This was not the case for Clinton resident Sharon Roberts, who stated that she came to support her many friends who have faced cancer head-on. Roberts then listed a few who are battling the disease.
“My friend Debbie Carney, Sandy Weikert, Wanda Boyette; she has been my friend for 30 years,” said Roberts.
Others came as part of teams, showing their enthusiasm for the “Cruisin toward a Cure” motto. One person to do so was Sue Underwood, who came decked out in a curly blond wig, hoping somebody would be fooled into thinking that she was Dolly Parton.
As “Dolly” asked the many guests to help get a treat from her booth for the “Fast Talkers and Slow Walkers” team, explained the reason she became involved in the cancer walk.
“My mother died of cancer,” said Underwood.
As members of teams united in the cause of ridding the world of cancer, some took the opportunity to sing. One team actually belted out a verse of “This Little Light of Mine.” As teams lined up for the parade of teams, one couldn’t help but hear a few sing “Let it shine, let it shine, oh let it shine!”
While some came as members of teams, some survivors just came alone to just show their support for finding a cure.
Sampson County resident Peggy Wiggins came with her husband, Larry, who is an eight-year cancer survivor.
“We always look forward to coming,” she said.
Equally as enthusiastic, Larry Wiggins stated that the local effort, that included thousands, was touching for him.
“It means a whole lot to me,” he said, noting that he has been to the event most of the years since he was diagnosed.
Jennifer Dauphinais, the American Cancer Society community manager, also expressed her appreciation of the local turnout.
“This is really the second largest event in my area,” said Dauphinais, who represents Duplin, Sampson, Onslow and Pender counties.
As a survivor herself, Dauphinais noted that lots of enthusiasm for the event comes from the faith-based groups, many of which were part of the Sampson Relay. The local Relay had several churches that either had teams or donated their time in other ways to the cause.
“It is amazing the amount of community support they bring,” Dauphinais commented.
In addition to all the supporters, she also noted that there was roughly 250 survivors, not including herself, who registered to take part in the event.
Malcolm Swinson Jr., a Hobbton High School senior, came forward at the event after one of his teachers in school encouraged him to take part in the talent competition portion of the night. He did a dance routine to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean.”
“I am also here with my church, The Clinton Family Worship Center,” said Swinson.
However, even he has felt how cancer can harm families.
“My aunt had it, but she passed away,” Swinson commented.
Knowing this, he stressed that it was important for him to do whatever he could to make sure that it doesn’t happen to more families.
“(Relay for Life) made me want to try and support and raise money and find a cure,” said Swinson.
Katie Holland can be reached at 910-592-8137, ext. 136, or by e-mail at silife@heartlandpublications.com.
I noticed the crowd was not as large as last years also, I heard several people talking about the heat,and said the wished it could be held maybe in early May next year.