On Saturday morning, Relay for Life committee members, teams, survivors and other participants met on Washington High School’s Wagner Field to celebrate the success of the event and announce the rewards of fighting back against cancer. The participants and committee also met for the survivor breakfast.

Chairperson Dawn Johnston and co-chair, Carol West announced that the efforts of the participants had grossed a grand total of $115,382.22. The Bosom Buddies, a team of breast cancer survivors, were recognized as the team that had raised the most money, bringing in a total of $13,380.90. The committee also announced that it had surpassed several goals for this year, having 290 survivors present at the event, having set a goal of 275 survivors. The committee sold 1,143 luminaries, 39 hope balloons and 34 torches, which cost $100 each.

“We were extremely pleased with the whole event,” West said. “We still have until August 31 to raise money. Our goal this year was $126,000. We are at a little over $115,000. We can still meet our goal and we will continue raising money until then.”

During the event that lasted from Friday evening until Saturday morning, several activities were underway. One of the most anticipated and impactful of those was the luminary ceremony that took place at 9 p.m. Friday. All of the lights went out at Wagner Field and the glowing luminaries could be seen surrounding the track. There were also hope balloons circling the track, which like luminaries, were sold to honor lost loved ones and survivors. A prayer was given at the start of the ceremony and a survivor video was shown, highlighting individuals in Beaufort County that have survived and those who continue to battle cancer.

At the end of closing ceremonies, Johnston, West and the rest of the committee called team leaders and survivors up front for a moment of celebration. The committee lured leaders and survivors into what they thought was going to be a close group hug when suddenly committee members started shooting silly string all over them and other committee members, as a practical joke.

According to 22-year survivor, Loretta Bailey, her mission is working to find a cure. She has participated in the event since its first year in Beaufort County and was a part of the original Bosom Buddies, a team of breast cancer survivors. She now walks for Jimmie’s Warriors, representing Riverview Baptist Church.

“I relay so my kids don’t have to go through what I went through,” said Bailey. “I lost my brother and my mama and my daddy to cancer so it’s personal. My church wanted to walk for me so there were several of us that broke off. We have one of the deacons, who has been diagnosed and has gotten his third treatment for Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma, which is what my brother had. So that’s why we changed our name to Jimmie’s Warriors.”

Another survivor and active participant in Relay for Life, Steve Barber, spoke on what Relay for Life means to him. Barber has beat cancer more than one time and is currently healing from a broken femur suffered as a result of the treatment

“Relay means that because of Relay research, I am still here today,” Barber said. “Nine years ago I had a first bout and had a five pound tumor removed from my leg. From radiation and chemo, I’m still here. Relay means to me that hopefully no one will have to go through what I had to go through. I feel like I’m still here by the grace of God. By grace and mercy, I’m still here today.”

Barber not only participates in Relay but also helps cook for the survivor breakfast. Johnston and the Relay committee presented Barber with a Relay for Life jacket for his service to the fundraiser. Johnston spoke on why she and the committee volunteer their time for Relay.

“Survivors are the reason why we do what we do,” Johnston said. “I want to close this out with a 1-2-3, Relay!”

If you would like to donate to Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org/beaufortnc.