Edgecombe County Relay For Life closed out its 2012 fundraising year with a wrap up party for team captains, particpants and committee members.

Susan New, Relay co-chairwoman, welcomed everyone and introduced John Jackson, Relay chaplain, who gave the invocation. New then led everyone in the Relay For Life pledge and mission statement. Relay For Life successfully raised $197,498.68 to support the American Cancer Society’s mission of saving lives from cancer.

Relay For Life mobilizes communities throughout the country to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and provide participants with an opportunity to fight back against the disease. Relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools and faith-based groups … people from all walks of life – all aimed at furthering the American Cancer Society’s vision of creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays.

More than 680 people, 
represented by 49 teams, participated in Relay’s 2012 event. There were 130 participating survivors and 63 corporate sponsors.

“Our 2012 Relay was a great success and we thank our corporate sponsors, event program advertisers and all the teams for raising money to find a cure for cancer and fight back against this terrible disease,” New said.

Team certificates with their totals were given out. The top fund raising team was Edgecombe County Public Schools led by Lauren Edmondson, which raised $27,564.96.

“Despite the rain, we had an awesome time,” said Stephen Eason, co-chairman. “The money we raised will help find a cure for cancer, and we had a successful Relay.”

ACS Community Manager Kathleen Fleming requested volunteers for the upcoming Cancer Prevention Study-3 (CPS-3). The study will help us better understand the genetic, behavioral, environmental, and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer, ultimately eliminating cancer as a major health concern for future generations. This study is not a clinical trial or experiment nor is it a paid study. Participation is completely voluntary and there is no financial cost to participants. CPS-3 is funded and operated by the American Cancer Society. Anyone willing to participate in the study and is between 30-65 years old and never been diagnosed with cancer, may contact Kathleen Fleming at Kathleen.Fleming@cancer.org

The new website for Edgecombe Relay For Life is online at www.relayforlife.org/edgecombenc.

The first 10 teams to register will be in a drawing for a special prize. There will be a kick-off meeting for the 2013 year at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 1 in the Edgecombe Community College Atrium. Returning teams and new teams are asked to attend. For more information, contact Susan New at new3204gpr@aol.com or 813-2170. The 2013 Relay event will be May 3 and 4 at the Tarboro High School football field.

After the meeting, there was an ice cream party to celebrate successfully raising $197,498.68 in the fight against cancer and finding a cure.