ST. CLAIRSVILLE - The Belmont County Relay For Life wrapped up Saturday morning and was deemed another successful venture.
The Relay wrapped up before 9 a.m. Saturday with the closing ceremonies and presentation of team awards after nearly 15 hours of walking, remembering, celebrating and fundraising at Red Devil Stadium.
"I am so happy with the turnout," said American Cancer Society representative Chelsea Edwards, who oversaw the Belmont County Relay. "It's so exciting to see so many people come out and support the cause."
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BELMONT COUNTY Relay for Life participants Dr. Douglas Hocking and his wife Lori walk during the opening lap of the Relay Friday evening at Red Devil Stadium in St. Clairsville. The Relay For Life wrapped up Saturday morning and it raised some $42,000 for the American Cancer Society.
The Relay began at 6 p.m. Friday evening and lap after lap was walked by representatives of more than 20 teams.
The Belmont County Relay for Life generated some $42,000 in revenue for the American Cancer Society, but that total was $8,000 short of the county's goal.
However, there are still some checks and donations outstanding that could push the county past its goal.
"I know the volunteers in Belmont County won't stop fundraising until we get to our goal," Edwards said. "That's very exciting to me."
This year's relay was held on a new weekend at a new site, which led to some unknowns for Edwards and Belmont County Relay co-chairs Jo Ann Smolira and Sue Rine.
"You just never know what to expect," Edwards said. "The whole week, leading up to Relay, we were all just kind of anxious because we didn't know what to expect, but when you get the turnout that we did, it's so exciting and overwhelming to see this many people here."
Edwards, who is a Martins Ferry graduate, didn't notice any major issues of any sort and since the weather cooperated, everything went pretty well, for the most part.
"I think every big event has a little hiccup here and there, but we didn't have anything catostrophical," Edwards said. "For an event this big, at a brand-new site, everything's gone a lot smoother than we ever could have hoped for."
Edwards offered high praise for the Red Devil Stadium venue and the help provided by both the school and the Saints Club.
The team Fall In Step For a Cure set the pace for fundraising with some $6,000 raised. The team is led by honorary co-chairs for the 2012 Belmont County Relay Maggie Truchan and Donna Deter.
Staskey can be reached at sstaskey@timesleaderonline.com
