Warren event raises 451,599 total

By WILLIAM K. ALCORN
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
Ohio's largest American Cancer Society Relay for Life, in Warren last weekend on Courthouse Square, drew some 1,300 cancer survivor participants and raised 451,599.
In the meantime, the Boardman Relay for Life, the state's third largest relay event, is preparing to kick off at 6 p.m. Friday at Boardman Center Middle School on the infield of the high school football stadium.
Warren's cancer survivor total was up 300 over 2006, but the money raised was down about 58,401 from last year's relay, said Donna Shaw of Champion, one of three co-chairmen of the event. The other co-chairmen are Amy Perunko of Champion and Tom Logan of Howland.
One hundred teams, with about 15 members each, participated in the Warren relay, which ran from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday.
The teams that raised the most money are: The Dr. Robert Brodell Team, 65,000; the Dr. John Vlad Team, 30,000; and the First Place Bank Team, 25,000. Each team pays 1,000 to participate, and that money along with donations from sponsors pay the expenses associated with the event, Shaw said.
"We're real happy with the response. We can't thank the community and the volunteers enough for their support," she said.
Shaw said the Relay for Life was brought to Warren 14 years ago by Dr. Brodell. That first relay had 14 teams and raised 25,000, she said.
The Warren relay is not only the largest in terms of money raised in Ohio, it is the second largest in the nation when compared with areas with similar population, said Al Stabilito, the American Cancer Society's northeast Ohio public relations director.
In Boardman
Boardman's Relay for Life, which raised 286,000 in 2006, has 134 teams of 10 to 15 members this year compared with 125-130 teams last year, chairman Mark Luke said.
"We're looking forward to a great weekend," said Luke. This is Boardman's 13th relay.
He said the tents will be located on the infield of the football stadium which will make the event more consolidated and safe and secure.
The Liberty Relay for Life is also this weekend, from 6 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday in Churchill Park.
alcorn@vindy.com