Third annual Relay For Life raises $90,000

By Monica Dufour
INDEX Staff Writer
DAVISON — The third annual Relay for Life successfully raised $90,000 for the American Cancer Society during its 24-hour relay June 21-22.

ACS Community Development Director Carol Boom said there were 800 people participating on 36 teams at the Cardinal Stadium, which was more than they had last year. “That’s not including many participants that didn’t join a team,” she said.

“We also had more survivors walking in the survivor lap. We had 130 this year,” she said.
“There were 1,500 luminaria bags, and 100 tiki torches around the track which is more than we had last year. I think the awareness of the relay is getting around,” she said.

While the weather started out with a little rain here and there, the sky cleared before the survivors took the track at 6 p.m. “It turned out to be a perfect day. The weather wasn’t too hot or cold. I was really happy with it,” she said.

Boom said 45 people wrote letters to their legislators to encourage them to vote on cancer legislation. “We had 103 people make pledges to do one thing this year to change the cancer rate either in their own lives, the lives of their family or community,” she said.

“Sue Csutoras (cancer survivor and relay co-chairperson), was a real inspiration to everyone this year when she showed up for the survivor lap,” Boom said.

There is still time for people to make donations for the relay she said. “We’re accepting donations until Aug. 31.” For more information, call Boom at 810-733-3702.