Clarkston community runners rally for the Relay

More than $172,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society after 1,000 people came out to support Clarkston’s Relay for Life July 24-25.
The 24-hour event, held at Clarkston Middle School’s outdoor track, started at 10 a.m. on Saturday morning and ended at 10 p.m. the following day.
‘It went amazing,? Jennifer Schulte, community development director for ACS, said. Last year the relay raised $158,000.
Thirty-one teams, six more than last year’s event, made up the camping area on the track. More than 700 people served on the various teams from throughout the community.
Supporter Michele Hunt and son Nicholas came with team ‘St. Joe’s Seraphims? to show her dedication in finding a cure for cancer.
‘I think one of the biggest things is awareness plus raising money for research,? Hunt said.
Opening ceremonies kicked off the event, complete with a ‘victory lap? for participating cancer survivors. More than 170 survivors participated in the local relay.
‘We had an amazing ceremony to start us off,? Schulte said.
Participants had constant entertainment and activities throughout the day to keep spirits high. Volleyball games, midnight movies, constant music and even a hula hoop contest kept the 24 hours moving quickly.
In addition to the live events going on throughout the event, many of the teams hosted activities themselves.
Members of the Clarkston Optimists set up camp and sold ‘survivor kits?, consisting of lemonade, snacks and a yellow ribbon, at their location.
‘This is a great event and it’s growing,? Jill Popour, Clarkston Optimists, said. ‘We wanted to support the cause.?
Not only did members of the Clarkston community come out to support the cause, but those from around the world did as well.
The Clarkston relay hosted the society’s International Relay Training team. Seven different countries were represented to learn about the event and take it back to their respective homes.
‘They came out and enjoyed the event and learned a lot to take back,? Schulte said. ‘They’ll be taking the Clarkston event and spreading it around the world.?
As team members took their turns on the track, informational signs from the ACS hung with facts about cancer and its devastating effects.
‘Every 25 minutes, a woman learns she has breast cancer,? read one sign while another stated, ‘Each year 130,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer.?
Participants gathered for a nighttime luminary ceremony to support those who lost their lives to the disease. A final group lap closed the event on Sunday morning.

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