HARROGATE — They went forward as their names were called out last Friday evening, most dressed in purple and all holding their heads high.

They all had one thing in common: They are cancer survivors.

This year’s American Cancer Society Relay for Life in Claiborne County was the biggest and best yet, raising over $160,000 — well surpassing the goal of $150,000.

“I am so proud of the whole community for coming together to support this event and making it better each year,” said Claiborne County Relay for Life Chairperson Cindy Stephenson. “Each one of our teams put so much effort into making this a great event.”

As dusk began to fall, cancer survivors from the area were honored during the Relay for Life, held again this year at the Harrogate City Park.

They received medals and lined up on the track for the first lap of the relay, the lap reserved for those who have fought and are continuing to fight the disease that does not discriminate. As “I’m a survivor” played over the loudspeakers, hundreds who were participating in the relay lined up to cheer on the survivors, from the youngest child to the oldest adult.

It’s those survivors who inspire many to participate in the annual fundraiser.

“When I see those people out there walking that survivor’s lap, I know I can do it,” said Mary Smith, a member of the Claiborne County Hospital’s team. “It is so touching to see them and think about what they’ve been through to get here.”

That was a shared sentiment with many who were gathered, several of whom were teary-eyed as the survivors walked by. While walking their lap, many survivors could see luminaries that were purchased in their honor lining the track. The luminaries, consisting of small candles in white bags, had personal sentiments on them — “In honor of ...” or “In memory of ...” someone special. Later during the evening, silence fell over the park as names on the luminaries were read: First were survivors, then those who had died.

The perimeter of the park was lined with team campsites, where teams, who had each raised money before the night of the event, took the opportunity to try and raise even more money during the evening with activities ranging from face painting to Guitar Hero.

Each team was encouraged to have a representative walking on the track at all times, and the activities lasted throughout the night until the early morning hours on Saturday.

The final totals for this year’s fundraiser won’t be ready for a few days, but organizers are confident that the 2008 relay will surpass everything in the past.

“It’s amazing what people can do when they pull together,” said Stephenson.



Photos: Local Relay for Life chairperson Cindy Stephenson gives cancer survivor Brooklynn Whitaker her survivor’s medal as Brooklynn’s mother Kristen looks on. (MARISA ANDERS/Claiborne Progress)

The faces of cancer: Survivors waited to hear their name called from the survivors’ list during the Relay for Life this past weekend.

(Photo courtesy AMY DRITTLER)