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Warren Relay ranks first
Boardman Relay For Life
Gallery
Warren’s cancer-benefit event raised the most money of any in the state.
STAFF REPORT
The American Cancer Society’s Warren and Boardman Relay For Life events were the top money-raisers in the state for 2009.
Warren’s event in May on Courthouse Square raised $420,551. Since its inception in 1993, the Warren Relay has earned the top spot for income raised and is the largest relay in Ohio.
Warren’s event was the first in the state and remains the largest in Ohio, said Jo-Ann Crank, vice president of the cancer society’s Northeast Ohio Region, of which Warren and Boardman are a part.
“The people who take part in this event and all the relays are an energetic group who take pride in what they do. Without their continued support, it would not be possible to achieve these outstanding marks year after year,” she said.
The Boardman Relay in Spartan Stadium also was in May. It has been the second- or third-largest relay in the state every year since it was started in 1994. This year it raised $247,428.
The Northeast Ohio Region was again the top region out of the five regions in the state for total income, raising $4,421,739 from 50 relays. The Central Region, which includes Columbus, was the second-largest with $3,414,678. The 2009 state total from all Ohio relays was $15,611,006, officials said.
Included in the Northeast Region are the Wooster Relay in Wayne County, which raised $211,697 and was the fifth-largest in the state; and the Aurora Relay in Portage County, which was the eighth-largest raising $194,076.
“Without question the volunteer base is definitely the reason for the success,” Crank said. “These individuals donate countless hours all year to ensure their respective event is fun for survivors and everyone else involved.”
Relay For Life events give cancer survivors the chance to celebrate life and give everyone the chance to make a commitment to help in the fight against cancer.
The ACS invests about 75 cents of every dollar in their mission to eliminate cancer. Some of the funds help cancer patients with a number of services. The majority of funds are earmarked for cancer research, Crank said.