Potato golf, hoola

hoops and dancing were just a few activities on

the agenda Friday night as cancer survivors and

volunteers from all walks of life joined in the

fight against cancer.

Sleep was one item

that did not make it on the agenda for most

participants in the 16-hour all-night Relay for

Life fund-raiser.

The relay, the

American Cancer Society's largest and most

successful fund-raiser, attracted supporters from

businesses, churches, schools and clubs to raise

over $26,000.

Teams of ten or

more from Peachtree National Bank, Counterpane

School, Kedron Elementary School, Southland

Nursing Home, Gold's Gym, Flat Rock Middle School

and Powertel were just a few of the many

participating in the walk. Walkers from the teams

took turns walking around the track at Sandy

Creek High School in Tyrone. Some team members

camped out, others dropped in for a few hours,

walking their laps and enjoying the activities.

Team members

dressed up, decorated their camp sites and

enjoyed music played by local disk jockey, Rick

Carey. More than 300 participated in the event

chaired by Norma Johnson, Peachtree National

Bank. Johnson, a long-time cancer volunteer and

cancer survivor, has chaired the event for the

past three years.

The event kicked

off Friday at 8 p.m. with a "victory

lap" around the track by about 80 cancer

survivors. After taking the first lap around the

track, the survivors were treated to a

much-appreciated sit-down dinner courtesy of

Fayette Community Hospital. The hospital also

gave away door prizes to cancer survivors.

At 10 p.m. a

special luminary ceremony took place. Candles

inside bags were lit in honor of cancer survivors

or in memory of loved ones lost to cancer. The

candles burned through the night around the track

in tribute to the many who have been touched by

cancer.

During the ending

ceremonies at noon Saturday, awards were given

for various achievements. Regions Bank was the

top fund-raiser with close to $5,000. Racers for

the Cure won an award for Best Camp Site.

Many contributed

long hours to make the event a success. Janet

Beebe coordinated the cancer survivors, Stephen

Ott was in charge of the luminaries, Robyn Smith

served as the publicity chairman, Diana Jones

coordinated entertainment, Jim O'Hara was in

charge of education and Elisa Hooker served as

secretary as well as chairing a team.

Many did

double-duty, helping with the organization of the

relay and chairing teams. Others who helped

considerably were Betty Derrickson, Jennifer

Bridgeman, Jennifer Cole, David Johnson and

Leslie Hassell.

Money raised from

the event is used to support the American Cancer

Society's programs of research, cancer control

and patient assistance. Many cancer survivors and

those currently challenged by cancer in Fayette

County have benefited from ACS programs.

For information on

local efforts, volunteer opportunities and

support groups, phone the local American Cancer

Society office at 770-460-8920 or phone

1-800-ACS-2345.

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