Beaufort County Relay for Life held its wrap-up meeting for the 2013 fundraising season Thursday, celebrating another year of successes.

For Chelsea Corey, chairwoman of this year’s fundraising effort, the biggest success is the money raised for the American Cancer Society.

“We set a goal of $120,000, and we surpassed it,” she said.

The campaign netted $123,213 in a year that also saw an increase in participation. Relay for Life got local schools involved and doubled the number of teams from the previous year. Thirty-five teams participated in 2013.

The participation is significant for the group, which had quite a few changes in leadership and more than half of its 2012 teams not return for another campaign.

“We just wasn’t going to let Relay die,” said Carol West, Relay for Life’s 2014 co-chairwoman.

Corey and 2013 co-chairwoman Dawn Johnston (also co-chairwoman for 2014) thanked and presented awards to teams and special guests. 

Barbara Tansey, president of Beaufort County Community College, Don Phipps, superintendent of Beaufort County Schools, and Johnny Jones of The Bridge 98.3 radio station were honored for their contributions to the success of the campaign.

“The schools were awesome,” said Johnston. “We want to thank Dr. Phipps, who immediately jumped on board.”

Members of the planning committee also thanked the community for supporting their efforts and participating in events. Because the fight to cure cancer is far from over, the celebration included an announcement of the 2014 Relay for Life schedule and plans for next year. Team captains and the planning committee met to discuss improvements for the 2014 Relay for Life season. The planning committee stayed long after the party wrapped up to brainstorm ways to top its 2013 successes.

Relay for Life 2014 will be held at Washington High School on May 2-3. This year’s theme will be “Make Some Noise for the Cure.”

For more information on teams, volunteers, survivors, and corporate sponsorship, contact Dawn Johnston at dawn_johnston@us.aflac.com or at 252-943-5061, or Carol Boyd West at carol_boyd_west@yahoo.com or at 252-944-3814.