The 2010 Relay for Life on June 4 and 5 at Abeles Field was a success, according to those who planned the event.
A 12-hour relay in which multiple teams have at least one person walking at all times through the night, the annual event is a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which uses some of the money to fund cancer research and returns another portion of it to support groups and other services locally.
Jennifer Gum, chairwoman for the relay committee for the last two years, said the event had 52 teams participating in all.
“It was wonderful,” she said.
Gum said organizers were guessing that about 175 cancer survivors attended the dinner before the relay, and about 250 people were fed in all. As for the total number of people who came through the gates at Abeles Field that night, she wasn’t sure.
“We know there was a lot more than last year,” Gum said.
In 2009, Gum said the relay raised much more than the goal set for it by the American Cancer Society. This year the American Cancer Society set a goal for the relay of $90,000.
Gum said as of Tuesday more than $94,000 had been collected. However, though the relay itself is over, she said donations will be accepted until September.
“I’m hoping that we would breach $100,000 by then,” she said.
This year also marked the last time the relay will be at Abeles Field in Leavenworth — the facility was sold this year by the Leavenworth Public Schools. Next year, Gum said the relay might use the new, larger Pioneer Stadium at Leavenworth High School, but no plans had been finalized.
And the planning for next year’s event will begin soon. Though the organizers of the relay will not meet again until its kickoff in September for the 2011 relay, Gum said she was already on the lookout for new volunteers to help serve on the committee.
“It takes a lot of work and a lot of people,” she said, to make the relay happen.
Gum said those interested either in making a donation or serving on the Relay for Life committee can contact her at jenjuice@kc.rr.com.
