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As a result, the Relay For Life has grown and, over twenty years later, nearly 5,000 relays are scheduled every year. Last year more than $375 million was raised, making Relay For Life the biggest single fundraising activity in the world.
As small as the town of Hayesville is, the citizens of Clay County have made a difference for almost a decade with local events like the relay, which was held from the evening of Friday, June 1 through the following day on the town square. Approximately 800 visitors were expected for the event, which included 35 different volunteers and team members.
People of all ages came together to celebrate life on the square at 6:30 p.m. A dunking booth on one corner constantly plunged willing volunteers while kids and adults alike tested out the strength of their over and underhand pitches. Cotton candy, snacks and various other sweets were provided to whet the taste buds. Children also sprung to new heights in an inflated jumping arena and various talented singers and performers from around the community came together to set the tone of the event from the stage of the gazebo.
Harrison Keely/ Sentinel Photo Cotton candy was only one of many treats for sale. At 7 p.m. cancer survivors took the first lap around the square, kicking off the ensuing events. A remembrance lap, caregiver's lap and team captain's lap followed. Afterwards a local band entitled the "Knarly Fingers" took control of the gazebo to entertain the crowd.
The luminary ceremony began at 9 p.m. Over 220 luminaries had been purchased in honor or in memory of loved ones who have courageously battled cancer. Volunteers raced around the square to light the candles, thus adding light to the darkness, a symbol of hope.
The event was put on with the help of 28 different community sponsors. At the beginning of the evening, $39,589.11 had been raised. By the end of the night the total had jumped to $44,419.41. Nearly five thousand dollars were collected in just a few hours.
A "Care-nival" began Saturday morning at 10 a.m. and continued until 2 p.m. with children's games, food and finally an auction to assist in the raising of more money.
Addie Brooks, the logistics chairperson for the 2007 event, explained the advantages and accessibility that the square offered over the county's previous relay location, the school track.
"We have easy access for survivors who will use wheelchairs or scooters on the square. They couldn't on the track because the [rubber] was so expensive that they weren't allowed to use their [devices because they] would damage it."
Brooks, who oversaw setup of the event for the first time this year, was a team captain in the past, and emphasized the involvement of those who had assisted in putting it on. "[Sheriff] Joe Shook has been a tremendous help," she said. "The rescue squad, the DOT and the sheriff's department have been awesome. We all worked together and had several meetings."
Brooks said she looked forward to having the event on the square in the future as well. "This is a community thing. We want it to be centered. We also want to keep the courthouse alive, because, what's going to happen when it leaves in July?" She said the relay is just one of many county events that will continue to encourage and promote activity in the town's center.
"What the American Cancer Society strives to do is keep staff in the community," said Senior Community Manager Lisa Duff. Duff explained the importance of having local support and guidance for the individuals involved in managing fundraising events.
Brian Saraney, an ACS representative to Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties, is one such individual.
"I think there's a passion here, there's an excitement here," he explained. "I think what's completely cool too is that by having it in the square, we're bringing the whole community together. Whether they know what Relay For Life is or not, they're coming and they're checking
it out. We're gathering together for the purpose of fighting cancer. I think it's an incredible thing."
"We've worked hard to get it here. A lot of meetings, a lot of prayers...." added Brooks.
Pointing out the fact that every purple survivor t-shirt carried the theme of celebrating life, Saraney said that he was excited that survivors of the disease were present.
"We believe it's because folks like these are getting together and raising money to find a cure," he said. "And there's so much progress being made. Over 3,000 less people died from cancer over 2006 than in 2005, so these guys are making a difference, they really are."
Brooks concluded that they wanted to "honor the survivors, the people who have been through the battle and the people who are going through the battle. I lost my mother to cancer. I'm a 14- year survivor of cancer. That's what we're here for."
To comment on this article, e-mail Harrison at hkeely@gmail.com.
 
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