More than 4,000 people filled the Magnolia Bowl in downtown Columbus on Friday night. The walking track was lit with more than 1,200 luminaries, each personalized for a cancer victim, while friends and families shared stories, memories and prayers with survivors and loved ones.
Two crates of doves were released at the start of the Relay for Life, to symbolize love, courage and to honor cancer survivors.
But one number matters more than all those: $140,000 — the number of dollars raised at the American Cancer Society Relay in Columbus.
While not walking in memory around the track, visitors took part in the festivities of the night in the center field, like listening to music from the center stage or visiting the 55 campsites that were set up by teams and organizations. Booths offered Lifers the opportunity to play ring toss, purchase food, or even play Wii, to raise money for the event.
And raise money they did. According to Debbie Blackburn, Relay for Life committee co-chair, this year”s Relay was shy of its goal of $152,000, but was an excellent take nonetheless.
“We have some more fundraisers scheduled that will count towards our goal,” said Blackburn. “We were very excited with what was raised.”
It was obvious that a lot of work was put into the event. Blackburn credits the success to the 18 committee members, more than 100 volunteers, 61 teams, and thousands of community members that felt called to the cause.
One group, Columbus Lowndes chapter of Delta Sigma Theta, had a booth selling baked goods.
Diedra Dumas, the team”s captain, said Delta Sigma Theta has a personal tie to the cause.
“We do have a survivor as a sister. We are trying to find a cure. But this is also a celebration, an awesome purpose and I”m having a lot of fun here,” Dumas said.
Jeanette Atkins said was thrilled at the love her sisters are showing her with their support. “My soror”s are here to support me because I am an nine year survivor of ovarian cancer. I was diagnosed through a simple surgery, but I am cancer free now. I feel great. I just want to say that cancer is not a death sentence.”
Another survivor, Luke Parker of Calhoun City, had a more recent struggle with cancer. “I”m a nine month cancer survivor,” he said. “I was diagnosed on Aug. 7, 2010, at the age of 20. I underwent brain surgery to remove a golf ball sized brain tumor. I did 30 days of radiation treatment, and I finished six months of chemo yesterday. I have one more month left of chemo and I”ll be cancer free.”
Parker found out he had a brain tumor on the day school started and had to drop out, but he is now planning on attending Mississippi University for Women in the fall. He said that one day, he wants to work for the American Cancer Society.
While Parker was planning his cancer-free future at the MUW booth, stay-at-home mom Linda Murff was remembering someone who lost her fight.
“I”m walking in memory of my best friend, Joyce Duvall, who had bone cancer,” she said. “She had struggled with her battle for about two years and went home to Jesus on March 12, of this year. It has been real hard for me since she passed away. I love this event, it”s a very good thing to help people to remember, especially the ones that we have lost, this keeps their memory alive. It”s important to let them know that we love them. I love my best friend so much.”
“The entire event was great,” said Blackburn. “It was the best weather we”ve had in years and everyone seemed like they were having a great time. We had a lot of people saying they were going to get involved next year.”
If you don”t want to wait until next year to get involved, there will be two more fundraising events to help contribute to this year”s proceeds. There will be a “Ride for Life” event in May, and the Bella Interiors Relay for Life team will be having a Tour of Homes fundraiser at the Bennett, Estes, and Jones homes today from 1-5 p.m. Tickets are $12 and the tickets can be purchased at the doors.
For more event information, call Mott Ellis, 662-574-1104.
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