The American Cancer Society Relay For Life at Altoona’s Mansion Park has topped the $2 million mark in money raised over the past decade.
Winning the People’s Choice Award for campsite at Mansion Park was Chicago Rivet. The People’s Choice Award goes to the team with the best campsite, as determined by voting by cancer survivors registered for the event. Second in the judging was Pruonto’s Hair Design Institute.
More than 70 teams raised a preliminary $288,440.32 for the 24-hour Relay that finished at 1 p.m., Saturday at Mansion Park. That amount means Relay, over the past 10 years, has raised $2,066,848.50 to help fund research, provide services to patients, teach people how to lower their cancer risk and promote advocacy for cancer-related items, according to Karen Terrill, Relay chair.
Teams still can turn in money for this year, so the final total could be higher. A final figure will be announced in a wrap-up celebration scheduled for 6 p.m., July 21 at the Ramada Inn Altoona.
“The commitment of area residents to battling cancer was evident Friday. It was raining and muddy. People could have had the perfect excuse not to show up, but they did. And, more importantly, despite the less than ideal weather, their spirits were high,” Terrill said.
“Participants feel a special connection to fighting cancer, and that’s the reason they work so hard to making Relay For Life a success.”
Three teams raised more than $20,000 each, earning state recognition for being in the Platinum Fund-Raising Club. Reliance Bank brought in $20,077, a record amount for the team. Reliance’s success extends its streak as being the team that has been in the top three in fund-raising for the most consecutive years. Spring Cove School District raised $22,683.74, the most ever for that team. The top 2004 fund-raiser was Sheetz Inc, which brought in $29,005.
