Relay for Life efforts bring in $244,821

Creativity has always been a part of Relay for Life efforts in Cherokee County.

Painted toilet bowls filled with flowers placed throughout town have become synonymous with the local campaign, accompanying the vast array of tasty treats like fried apple pie, strawberries and flounder available at many Relay events.

While some consider such ideas to be weird or wacky, the success of these fundraisers cannot be argued.

Following a year in which local Relay fundraising efforts topped the $230,000 mark, county participants did even better in 2008, bringing in $244,821.

Results were announced during a meeting at First Baptist Church of Gaffney, wrapping up the 2008 fundraising effort going toward cancer research. Representatives from most of the 57 teams participating in this year's event were in attendance, sharing in each other's accomplishments.

According to county Relay income manager Harlan Thomson, it's such teamwork that helped the area achieve a new record.

"Think about it, gas is at least $1.25 more now than when we first started," Thomson said. "With the economy going in the direction it is, we didn't know what to expect. But (the team's) hard work paid off, and the close to $245,000 in money shows that."

Cherokee County's total ranked among the highest in the state, finishing fifth. The amount also earned the county a place among the top 10 per capita totals nationwide.

The First Baptist Cooks & Friends team, notorious around town for placing porcelain toilets in yards around Gaffney, earned top billing locally after raking in close to $32,000.

While it would be easy to bask in the glow of this year's campaign, chairperson Jackie Drake knows there is still work to be done.

Next year's Relay has been scheduled for May 8. Some teams like The Robert Allen Group are getting a head start, already donating $800 to the 2009 campaign.

"With the end of a year comes the beginning of another," Drake said. "It's wonderful to see everyone get involved, and next year we hope to see more people help us tackle this disease."