Relay For Life raises over $46,000

By Carrie A. Mizell

Applause rang out Friday evening as cancer survivors of all ages united on the Trenton High School track to walk in a survivor’s lap commemorating the start of the 2011 Gilchrist/Levy Relay For Life.

Cancer survivors Betty Durden, Dalton Hickox and Austin Allen led the Relay For Life Survivors Lap.

Clad in purple shirts and wearing medals around their necks, survivors ranged from toddlers to senior citizens proving that cancer is not selective and everyone is vulnerable to the disease which claims 1,500 lives each day.
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life gives everyone in a community a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease by raising funds.

Cancer survivors Juan Henley and Marjorie Henley	Cancer survivor Wilbur Bush

According to Tammy Beauchamp, event chair for the 2011 Relay For Life, $46,112 has been raised so far through this year’s Relay For Life. Fundraising efforts will continue through August 31, and organizers are hopeful that this year’s event will exceed a set goal of $53,500.
At press time, five teams had already reached the bronze medal status by raising over $2,500, and several other teams might as well.
In all, 30 teams spent 18 hours at the high school track over the weekend celebrating “Carnival For A Cure,” which was this year’s theme, and walking laps to raise funds. Teams included: Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, Best Drugs, Ayers Health & Rehabilitation, Friends of Friends, Bell High School, Trenton United Methodist Church, Bell Elementary School, Gilchrist County Food Service, Kid’s World Preschool, Drummond Community Bank, Lafayette State Bank, Premier Jewelry, Palms Medical Group, Haven Hospice, Trenton High School, Gentiva, Trenton Elementary School, Gilchrist County School Board Office, Trenton Tri-M, Humana, Capital City Bank, Ameris Bank, Destin’s Dance & Fitness Academy, Florida Virtual School, Chiefland Legends, Tanya’s Salon, Motivated Methodist, Light of Hope, Gilchrist County Courthouse and Central Florida Electric.
According to Beauchamp, 20 teams have already signed up and paid to take part in the 2012 Gilchrist/Levy Relay For Life.