AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY Relay for Life events raise more than $1.7M

The Warren relay was top in the state, and Boardman was second.
CANFIELD -- Over the past three months, the American Cancer Society had 16 Relay For Life events in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana, Jefferson and Carroll counties that raised a combined $1,703,950.
Some 3,000 cancer survivors participated in the relays, the proceeds from which are used by ACS in four areas: research, education, advocacy and patient services.
The Warren Relay was once again the largest relay in the state in 2004, raising $510,000. The Boardman relay was second in the state, netting some $337,000.
National ranking
Later this year it will be determined how the Warren and Boardman relays rank nationally after all of the relays are completed throughout the country. In addition, county rankings will be announced later in the year, said Al Stabilito, communications and advocacy director for the local American Cancer Society chapter.
This year, five relays in Trumbull County -- in Cortland, Liberty, Lordstown, Niles and Warren -- netted $884,000. Mahoning County also had five relays in Austintown, Boardman, Campbell, Sebring and at Youngstown State University that netted $547,650.
Columbiana raised $145,000 with four relays in Columbiana, East Liverpool, Lisbon and Salem. The Wintersville Relay in Jefferson County netted $88,000 and the Carrollton Relay in Carroll County netted $39,300, Stabilito said.
"There are literally hundreds of people who deserve the recognition and credit for making this another outstanding year," said Jay Bice, president of the Trumbull County American Cancer Society.
Thanks for the help
"Everyone who participated and helped in our mission to eliminate cancer needs to be thanked," said Dr. Robert DeMarco, president of the Mahoning County ACS Board of Directors.
"You certainly can't raise that kind of money and get hundreds of people in the community involved without great volunteers and committee people who work all year," said Jo-Ann Crank, executive director of the local American Cancer Society in Canfield.
For more information about Relay For Life or information about cancer, call the local American Cancer Society office at (330) 533-0546 or toll free at (888) 227-6446.