Relay for Life raises over $170,000

Over $170,000 was raised for the 24th annual Coffee County Relay for Life event held Friday, April 15.

Businesses, churches and other organizations from across the county were "Racing for a Cure," the theme of this year's event.

Relay for Life is held every year to not only raise funds for cancer research and helping those affected by cancer, but to also honor those who have survived their fight and those who have lost the battle.

For the 20th year, survivors were honored with a breakfast. It's here that long-term survivors can fellowship with those who have recently overcome their battle with cancer.

"We see other survivors, and we see people just beginning their journey," survivor Bobbi Fleming said. "We take it a day at a time."

Survivor Brenda Payne said every person in a fight with cancer needs one thing.

"They need support," Payne said, saying her support was her husband.

"If they don't have support, there are groups out there," Fleming said.

Siblings J. Henry Williams and Anna Lee, both cancer survivors, called every day "a blessing."

"It's just a blessing to be alive," Williams said. "Until it hits you, you don't understand it."

According to Williams, the siblings lost their father to prostate cancer, which led him to be checked every six months. In November, he was told he had overcome his fight with prostate cancer because the doctors caught his early.

Lee said she just finished her radiation treatments in February for her second fight with breast cancer. Her daughter has been diagnosed with breast cancer, as well.

"Sometimes, you don't know the benefits you have until you go through it," Lee said, speaking of housing opportunities and other benefits for cancer patients. "It's a blessing to be able to share (my story) and be a part of (Relay)."

The event began with a special lap for survivors, led by 2016 Honorary Chair Jacob Braden said.

"I feel like I'm representing Relay for Life in a way that I normally don't," Braden said about being honorary chair. "It's a special position."

During the event, a luminaria ceremony was held to remember those fighting cancer and those who have lost the fight. Bags and torches are lit "as glowing tributes to those who’ve been affected by cancer," according to the Relay for Life website.

Being a childhood cancer survivor himself, Braden said the advice he would give to other cancer victims, especially children would be "don't worry."

"No matter what, everything is going to end up okay," Braden said. "You've just got to look at the bright side of things."