Relay For Life off to good start
By Diana Royal dianar@thetruecitizen.com

There's still a few weeks to go before the big event, but Burke County's 2008 Relay For Life campaign is already excelling since last year.

Already the May 2-3 event has collected $14,736.22, and committed sponsorships bring that total to nearly $21,000. This time last year, only $1,768 had been turned in, according to Teresa Carter of the American Cancer Society.

While that figure shows an impressive increase, Carter is quick to say sponsorships and teams are still needed to help Burke County reach its $82,000 goal. "It really is an entire community effort," she said. "Teams and sponsors are how we do it; finding a cure is why we do it."

An entire decade has passed since Burke County held its very first Relay - and while the number of participants in the survivors' lap has increased, so have the luminaries for those whose memories light the track.

To honor both the survivors and those who lost in the fight against cancer, Relay organizers have planned a special tribute for the night of Relay. All survivors are asked to mail a photo of themselves, with their names on the back, to Byron King at 598 Kilpatrick Road, Waynesboro, GA 30830. Anyone wishing to submit a photo of someone who lost his or her battle may also do so. King can be reached at 706-993-5528 and says all photos will be returned.

For more information about joining or starting a team or becoming a sponsor, contact Carter at 706-731-9900 or Jackie Eskew, Burke County's chairperson, at 706-466-0667.
READY, SET, RELAY!
When: Friday-Saturday, May 2-3; registration begins 6 p.m. and
the event will last until 7 a.m.
Where: the soccer fields behind Citizens Park Gym
Theme: 10 Years of Movies
Teams: 22
Sponsors: 25