A big thank-you to Cherokee County

Dear Editor:

We would sincerely like to thank the generous people of Cherokee County for again raising the bar and making the 2008 Relay For Life better than ever.

For the second year in a row our Cherokee County Relay was in the top 10 nationally in the 50,000 to 60,000 population grouping in per capita giving. In 2007 we were eighth nationally with $4.15 per capita and this year we moved up to fifth nationally with $4.52 per capita. We were also the fifth-largest Relay in South Carolina in total money raised with $244, 821. This compares to seventh place and $230,015 raised in 2007. Cherokee County continues to shine in the South Atlantic Division of the American Cancer Society with tremendous support in the fight against cancer. You are making a huge difference.

We would like to thank The Timken Company for all the excellent work both as a company and as individuals in hosting the event.

We also thank Sanders Brothers for their partnership with Timken in building this unique track several years ago. It continues to be an excellent venue in which to hold the event. We estimate about 6,000 people attended in 2008. This would not have been possible without a great facility and host.

We also need to thank this long list of volunteers and sponsors:

— The 12 Relay committee members who worked so hard to put together the 12-hour event;

— The 57 team captains who were the leaders and motivators for our teams;

— The 946 team members who worked so hard to raise the funds with many staying most or all of the night;

— The 37 generous T-shirt sponsors, 21 banner sponsors and more than 100 track sign sponsors who were essential in making this year such a success. Many people, particularly the committee and team captains, work year-round to make our event a success.

A special thank-you goes out to the 175 survivors who were honored in the first lap and were the stars for the entire evening.

We are very appreciative to the Gaffney High School and Blacksburg High School bands who joined together and started the night off right with the National Anthem and several key selections during the Survivors lap; our speakers, Mark Propst from Timken, Dr. Linda Sellars from the Cherokee County School District and Rick McCraw from Zaxby's, who were very inspiring.

We are also thankful to Higher Praise, 4 Real and Life Song for providing excellent entertainment. We want to thank DJ Todd Bright for keeping us going throughout the night, the sheriff's department for their great help with parking and security, and of course, the hundreds of volunteers who helped us set up and clean up.

We are grateful to the Palmetto Bank for use of their facilities on Bank Day and to Joyce Moorhead for hosting our kickoff and Outback Steakhouse for hosting our Survivors Dinner.

Thanks to United Rentals off I-85 Spartanburg for their generous donation of the two quiet generators.

The Gaffney Ledger and WEAC, provided excellent publicity for Relay. Here are the to 20 teams and the money each raised: 1.) First Baptist Cooks and Friends: $32,795 2.) The Timken Company: $22,152 3.) Nestle: $18,467 4.) The Robert Allen Group: $18,000 5.) Sheriff's Ride For the Relay: $17,050 6.) Upstate Carolina Medical Center: $15,105 7.) Newark: $11,556 8.) Freightliner: $9,175 9.) Sanders Brothers: $8,645 10.) Draytonville Baptist Church: $8,049 11.) Buford Street UMC: $8,033 12.) Hampton-Smoke: $7,007 13.) Painter Family Team: $6,186 14.) Gaffney High School: $6,117 15.) Ewing Middle School: $4,889 16.) Macedonia Youth Group: $4,300 17.) Corinth Elementary School: $4,238 18.) Cherokee Technology Center: $3,800 19.) Meagan's Hope: $3,702 20.) Dellinger: $3,566

As a special note, we had 100 percent participation from Cherokee County District schools. Collectively they raised just over $40,000.

We simply can't say enough for the dedication and support received by Relay For Life from the people of Cherokee County. You have truly dedicated yourselves in "fighting back" against cancer and we are truly grateful. We look forward to another exciting and successful year in 2009. If any company, church, organization, family team or individual would like to get involved, please call Jackie Drake at 206-7966, Sheila Smoke at 490-4842, or Michelle Sexton at 487-2616.

Thanks again for another fantastic year. Jackie Drake Event Chair Harlan Thomson ACS Income Manager