They walked in the rain, the cold and brief periods of sunshine. They walked in the dead of night and the wee hours of the morning.
They walked to honor those who survived and those who lost their fight. They walked nonstop for 24 hours to help find a cure for a killer named cancer.
For their efforts, the more than 600 participants in Oxford’s First Annual Relay for Life, held this past weekend at the high school track, raised a grand total of $64,193 for the American Cancer Society.
‘You should all be so proud of yourselves,? said Jennifer Schulte, Community Development Director for the American Cancer Society, to the weary, but jubilant crowd at the end of the relay. ‘A typical first-year event is goaled at $25,000. So, I’m pretty sure we’re well over that.?
Of that total, Oxford Bank raised $21,900, making its relay team the top fund-raiser and winner of the traveling trophy. Tony Lasher, marketing director for Oxford Bank, accepted the trophy on the team’s behalf and noted that the bank’s employees are ?165 of the greatest people I know.? ‘They raised so much money, I couldn’t believe it,? said Lasher, who lost his wife, Beth, to cancer in 2003. ‘Cancer has touched everybody’s life. It’s touched my life. I just want to thank you all for coming out here and camping out in this nasty weather for 24 hours. All of you deserve a lot of credit.?
Rounding out the top three fund-raising teams were the ‘Bee-Lievers,? consisting of Oxford’s elementary schools, who raised $10,208 and the ‘Super Men and Women? who raised $7,270.
Other teams who raised more than $1,000 included ? Drivin? for Survivin?, Eagles Nest, Oxford Leaders, Carnival for a Cure, Oxford Recreational Baseball Association, Double K Kindred, Cowpokes for a Cure, Cats for a Cure and Team Oxford.
The 24-hour relay kicked off 10 a.m. Saturday with some touching words from the driver of Oxford school bus Number 56 ? Lecia Hauxwell.
In 1994, Hauxwell was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent 10 months of chemotherapy. Nearly five years later, she was diagnosed again and told the cancer was spreading to her bones.
‘They told me I had six months to live ? 4? years ago,? she said, ‘As I come up on five years, I am still here, still going strong.?
‘If it wasn’t for people like you and the American Cancer Society doing what we’re doing now, it wouldn’t have happened,? Hauxwell said.
‘There are people here that unfortunately have lost loved ones to that battle (with cancer),? she said. ‘When you’re out on the track today, look around because they’re here with us. They’re angels walking with us.?
Hauxwell then shared something with the crowd she wrote in honor of Oxford’s first Relay for Life entitled ‘Bus 56? (see shaded box below).
Despite the cold, gray, rainy weather, relay participants kept their spirits up with live entertainment and fun competitions such as a pie-eating contest, box car derby race and American Idol-style karoke contest.
The most touching moment of the relay came during the Luminaria Ceremony Saturday night as candle lit white bags decorated with names, photos and colorful drawings lined the track. Each bag represented someone who survived cancer or lost their battle with the dreaded disease.
During the ceremony, bleachers on the west side of the track were illuminated by 272 empty gallon milk jugs (donated by Starbucks) containing candles, which together spelled out the word ‘HOPE? in giant capital letters.
Closing ceremonies for the relay began around 9:30 a.m. Sunday with an awards presentation.
The award for ‘Best Team Spirit? went to the ‘Young Super Men and Women,? captained by Jacqueline Magdaleno, who lost her 13-year-old brother Michael to cancer in November 2004.
In describing the ‘Young Super Men and Women? team, Schulte said they ‘stayed up all night, participated in all the contests? and ‘really kept the energy level up the entire 24 hours.?
The award for ‘Best Decorated Campsite? went to the Starbucks team who called themselves the ‘Coffee Travellers.?
Pat Wafylyna, a member of the ‘Double K Kindred? team, was honored with ‘Team Member of the Year.?
‘Her tireless efforts made our team a success,? said Schulte, reading off her nomination form. ‘Her enthusiasm and dedication to the cause kept us all motivated . . .(She) generally was available and always ready to help with anything that needed to be done. Pat was the spirit and drive behind the Double K Kindred team.?
Oxford’s first Relay for Life ended with everyone taking a final lap around the track while the theme from the movie ‘Rocky? played on.