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Saluting McDuffie's Relay success Letter to the Editor We have completed the 2004 McDuffie Relay for Life and it has been, by far, our most successful Relay to date. We had over 2,000 team participants from 45 teams, with over 200 survivors walking the first lap -- all record numbers. Our fund raising exceeded $200,000, which is a phenomenal amount for a county of our size, and places us among the best in the nation in all of these categories. We want to thank so many people for this success: the 45 teams who worked so hard and then had such a good time cooking and fellowshipping on May 14-15, the City of Thomson crews for putting up and taking down the tents and facilities, Thomson High School for allowing us to use the THS Track for the event, the Junior Women's Club for processing and putting out over 1,200 candle luminaries, our corporate sponsors for their support, Jessie Morlan and Trent Henderson and all of the entertainers who performed throughout Friday night, Patricia Newsome and Sadie Brooks for spearheading all of our survivor activities, Darrell Wells for capturing the event in pictures, the National Guard and Curtis and Beggs Funeral Homes for supplying large tents, Lee Cole for logistical help, Teresa and Jim Bitterman for counting money late into the night, and the American Cancer Society for being our ultimate sponsor and providing all of our supplies and publicity. After seven years, this activity has truly become a "community event," which pulls together all walks of life and all parts of our society, to fight the dreaded disease of cancer. It makes us swell with pride when we consider the unselfish community support which is given to the Relay, and the significance of our shared efforts. Again, we thank you all, and look forward to next year's Relay. Sincerely, Peggy Willis Bob Knox, Jr. Co-Chairmen 2004 McDuffie County Relay for Life Web posted on Friday, June 11, 2004