The McDuffie County Relay For Life is back on top.
Three years ago, the county was named number one in the nation for money raised per capita. The last two years, Carroll County, Iowa, took a slight lead over McDuffie County.
But in a press release Friday, McDuffie County was named number one in the nation not only in money raised per capita, but also for total funds raised in the 20-25,000 population category.
"The group in Iowa nudged us just a little bit the last couple of years ... and now we are back in front in '07, so that's great," Thomson Mayor and Relay Co-Chair Bob Knox said. "We knew we had worked awfully hard. And we were just astounded by the results for the year. I couldn't be more pleased that we are recognized as number one."
McDuffie County had 54 teams in the '07 event and over 500 cancer survivors walking in the first lap around the Thomson High School track. The event raised $250,613.51 total, which comes to $11.61 per person in the county.
"The one factor (to our success), I think, is just the generosity and unparalleled support of the people of McDuffie County, and that's it," Mayor Knox said. "Because we don't get a lot of big dollar amounts that go into that pot. It's just a lot of small ones and they all add up to show the fantastic support the community gives."
McDuffie County will be recognized by the South Atlantic Division of the ACS at the annual Relay University on Oct. 12-13. The South Atlantic Division is comprised of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Members of the local RFL teams were asked to create a banner to display at the event, according to Co-Chair Peggy Willis.
"Well, I think it's wonderful and very exciting," Ms. Caldwell said. "It's a testament to the strength of the community and their ability to rally for a good cause."
The Relay For Life is an American Cancer Society world-wide fundraiser that began in May 1985 to benefit cancer research, prevention education and support programs. The first Thomson RFL was held 10 years ago. Next year's Relay will be May 16 and 17.
