Relay for Life raises $115K

A total of 46 teams made up of cancer survivors, families, caregivers, faith-based groups, businesses and clubs walked 18 hours in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Winter Garden in April, raising more than $115,000. The time and commitment given by the event committee, volunteers, teams and participants will help the American Cancer Society finish the fight against cancer. There were 87 survivors who registered to participate in the special dinner and activities.

Top awards were given to the following:

• Top Fundraising Team – City Stars

• Top Corporate Team – Crawford Tire

• Best Decorated Campsite – Children’s Lighthouse

• Team Spirit Award – Carla’s Captain America Team

• Top Individual Fundraiser – Dottie Rhodes, West Orange Church of Christ

• Rookie of the Year Award – Lake Whitney Elementary

“Relay For Life allows the entire community the opportunity to do something positive when so much negative surrounds the disease,” said 2014 Relay For Life event chair Andrea V. Edwards.  “I am proud of Winter Garden for coming together to support one another and help finish the fight against cancer. Thank you to our committee, team captains, participants and sponsors who helped make this event happen.”

Relay For Life is a community-based, volunteer-driven event that honors survivors and caregivers, remembers those lost to the disease and fights for a world with more birthdays. Individuals and teams gather at a track, park, or fairground to campout and walk overnight. Teams organize and complete fundraisers to raise money for the cause, often continuing their efforts at the event.

These funds bring the American Cancer Society one step closer to its goal of helping people stay well by helping them get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.

Since 1985, Relay For Life has developed from one man running around a track for 24 hours to a global event taking place in more than 6,100 communities and 20 countries.

To learn more about Relay For Life, visit www.RelayForLife.org/WinterGardenFL or call 800-227-2345.