Residents of Lawrence County made a giant step toward a cure for cancer on May 29 when they walked throughout the night during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.

Twenty teams and hundreds of people came together during this year’s Relay to raise in excess of $57,000.  Money raised during Relay For Life helps fund the American Cancer Society’s research, education, advocacy and service programs in the local communities. 

The American Cancer Society is the largest nonprofit supporter of new cancer research and the largest voluntary health organization fighting cancer in our country and around the world.   

“We appreciate all the support we received from each of the teams, as well as from our sponsors,” said Ashley Kennedy, event co-chair.  “We are especially grateful to the many volunteers and their families for all of their hard work to make this event happen.”

The Relay began at 7 p.m. at Kelley Field in Aurora with an ‘80s theme to help celebrate Relay For Life’s 25 Years of Hope. 

Numerous cancer survivors started things off with the opening lap.  Later in the evening there was a live basket auction performed by McKnight Auction Co., the Luminaria ceremony, Queen of the Relay contest and a Fight Back ceremony. 

A.K. & Company was the top Gold fundraising team at the event, raising $7,529.86.  The second top Gold team was MRC/VA with $6,476.07 and the third was Hailey’s Comets with $5,736. 

The Silver teams raising between $3,000-$4,999 consisted of Angels of Mercy, Dawg Pounders and Jake-A-Roos Crew. 

The Bronze teams raising between $1,500-$3,999 were Red Hot Walking For The Son, Friends, Live Love Cherish, Cure Drivers and Jay Walkers. 

The top individuals each raising over $1,000 were Mary Williams of A.K. & Company; Rosemary Henderson of Hailey’s Comets; Jeanne Hart of Jake-A-Roos Crew and Mona Brown of Hailey’s Comets. 

This year’s team spirit award went to the Live Love & Cherish team.

The best campsite award went to A.K & Company with the theme of “Back to the Future, Cancer Free.” 

Two teams vyed for the most laps award, which were Gotta Dance and Live Love & Cherish both at 705. 

The individual with the most laps was Kerry Coatney of Happy Feet with 92 laps. 

The individual raising the most money was Rosemary Henderson of Hailey’s Comets with $2,051.   

The following corporate sponsors received recognition throughout the night for their contribution toward this year’s Relay:
• Gold level – St. John’s of Aurora,
• Silver level – First Independent Bank, Richard’s Hawgwild BBQ and McKnight Auction Co. 
• Bronze level – Doty Trash Service, Aurora Advertiser, Lawrence’s Trophy Place, Pierce City Leader Journal, Destination Powersports, Lawrence County Record, MRC/VA, Ingle Automotive, Hometown Pharmacy, Ozark Electric Co-op, Thrivent, Leitle Carquest, Robbins Construction, Gwinup Trucking, Mid-Missouri Bank, Alpine Wood Products, Reflections Hair, R Place Bar & Grill, Gotta Dance Studio, Pierce City FFA, Community National Bank, Crystal Creations and Weiser Tent. 

Other donors included McDonald’s of Aurora, Mr. J’s Tuxedos, Wal-Mart, Landrum Drug, State Farm Insurance-Shane Parker, A-Salon, State Farm Insurance-Phil Davidson, Kay Concrete, Pettit & Pettit and Soma Bella Massage.

“We just can’t thank all of the businesses and individuals enough that sponsored and donated their time and services to help make this year’s Relay such a success,” said Kennedy 

For more information about the Relay For Life of Lawrence County or how to become involved for the 2010 Relay year, call Kennedy at 417-461-7299.  To learn more about cancer, call the American Cancer Society’s 24-hour helpline at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. 

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.