Relay for Life held to raise funds for ACS

The Upshur County Relay for Life proved an effective fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society when it took place Friday night (June 6) at Ore City High School Rebel Stadium. Lakin Jones, who chaired the event, said that more than $30,000 was raised through a combination of walkers being sponsored and other fund-raising activities.

Among these was a hot dog eating contest and a limbo dance contest. A “Miss Relays” contest that enabled macho men to dress up as female counterparts. One of the contestants was Ore City Mayor Glenn Breazeale. Taco Maldonato was crowned as princess.

The Relay kicked off with a “Survivors Lap” at 6 p.m., with 20 teams continuing in relays until 6 a.m. Saturday. Ms. Jones said two brief, heavy showers took place during the set-up hours, but the weather was clear for the actual Relay.

After sundown, luminarias that had been sold were lit in memory of those who had lost their battle with cancer, and in honor of survivors.


Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
CANCER SURVIVORS in purple shirts, their caregivers and team members in white and team captains in red complete the first lap of the Relay for Life walk at Rebel Stadium Friday night at Rebel Stadium in Ore City. Tommy Hill in the yellow shirt joins his wife Paula as she anchors the left end of the lead banners, while Coach Gail Hamberlain carries the right end. After the first lap, most of the survivors dropped out of the walk but the team members continued until dawn.


Mirror Photo / Mary Laschinger Kirby
ENJOYING THE Relay for Life walk Friday are Kenneth Stewart and Matt Camp. As they discuss matters they have in common, the two cancer survivors carry the banners they made as they fought the disease.
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