People throughout the community have come together again to fight cancer.
The annual Relay for Life started Friday at Betts Park. It is scheduled to run through Saturday.
Marie Costello, American Cancer Society staff partner, said the event has a goal of raising $95,000. She said she felt confident participants would reach that amount.
Article Photos
Turning back
the clock
Linda Feather, photo above, shows her Relay for Life team’s 1950s-style soda fountain.
There were 37 teams registered, Costello said, and 80 cancer survivors planned to attend. Prior to the event, she said there were 400 luminaria candles sold and she expected the number to reach 500.
According to Costello, she has been involved with relays for 17 years, but this is her first time working with the one in Warren.
"They say the community takes up the fight," Costello said. "That's true for this county."
Organizations like the Warren County Chamber of Business and Industry have been responsive to the needs of the event, Costello said, and that has been part of the relay's success. She noted Warren has hosted an event for over 10 years.
With nice weather in the area, Costello said it will be especially nice for survivors. Some of them have just gone through treatment, she said, but should be able to celebrate their survivorship at Betts Park.
Mandy Kellogg said she wanted to participate since her church group put a team together. Also, she said she has had friends go through cancer.
This is her first time being involved with the relay, Kellogg said, and it was neat to see all the people who gathered. Although it had an official noon kickoff, she said she was there at 9 a.m. and others were already there.
Linda Feather, a co-captain of the Pleasant Community Church and Mission Covenant Church team, said it was a worthwhile cause. Some of her family members have been affected by cancer, she said, but the event is also a good time.
Last year was her first time at the event, Feather said, and it was awesome even though the weather was wet, cold and damp.
To get ready, Feather said it took a lot of work fundraising. Decorating the team's booth also required work, she said, and they focused on the event theme of "Through the Decades."
For their decade, Feather said they wanted to represent the 1950s. To do so, they built a model soda fountain.
"I encourage people to participate," Feather said. "They can come tomorrow, and be involved next year."