Volunteers in Brentwood, California completed the third annual Far East County Relay for Life the weekend of June 23-24. This event is remarkable in the annual growth it has expreinced in such a short time. This year over $270,000 was raised for the American Cancer Society with participation from almost 100 walking teams, 181 cancer survivors and many volunteers.

Team registrations were up more than 49 percent this year, as increased community support from residents and local businesses led the fundraising efforts to jump more than 23 percent over last year’s record performance.

Source: Brentwood Press

Like many Relay for Life events all across the country, fundraising drives before the night of relay, campsites and a spirit of team work played into their success. For cancer survivors and families, the luminaria ceremony was of central importance. Besides raising funds for cancer research, the event serves as a way to honor people who have struggled with the disease and a healing process for everyone touched by cancer.