The Observer Newspapers | More Than $350K Raised at Relay for Life

June 6, 2008

More Than $350K Raised at Relay for Life

Through thunderstorms and heavy rain, participants and volunteers at the Reston Relay for Life continued on their annual quest last weekend to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society and those fighting cancer.

Organizers aimed to raise $300,000 at the event and surpassed that with more than $350,000 raised for the event. American Cancer Society liaison Sara Anderson said even with the afternoon downpour, the event was a success. "The rain was a little damper on the beginning given that it was right before opening ceremonies, but we moved them inside and it didn't seem to hinder the event," she said.

The event took place Saturday and Sunday at South Lakes High School and featured live music, a Guitar Hero video came contest, a pie-eating contest, free massages and other activities. Many teams decorated their tents with this year's theme, "Real life superheroes É fighting for a cure." Some participants wore capes as they walked the track.

Organizers this year were hoping to have 80 teams with 800 participants but surpassed both goals, with 94 teams and more than 1,100 participants. Booz Allen Hamilton was the top corporate fundraising team, raising $68,000.

Wink's Warriors took the spot as top individual team, raising $32,000. "Everybody's asking if we're doing it again next year, so it was a really positive experience," said Celeste Lipford, team captain for Wink's Warriors. She said fundraising was easy to do because Transaction Network Services agreed to match the amount they raised. Jim "Wink" Kelsay worked at Transaction Network Services and many of the team members work there.

Reston Relay for Life honored 64 survivors at the event, the same number as the last year. The 2007 Reston Relay event raised more than $284,000 with 69 teams and 700 participants.