Relay for Life pulls in big crowd
Event raises nearly $60,000 for cancer research
By ROB PRICE THE COURIER-ADVOCATE

Appearing counterclockwise from top photo, the Crystal City Bagpipers lead participants at the Bath-Hammondsport Relay for Life in the Survivors Lap; luminaria light up the night in memory of people who lost their lives to cancer; cancer survivors walk the oval track in the Survivors Lap.

HAMMONDSPORT - Organizers for the 2008 Bath- Hammondsport Relay for Life, held last weekend at the Hammondsport Firemen's Park, estimate the annual event raised nearly $60,000 in donations to the American Cancer Society.

Rite Hoover, chairperson for the event, said 155 cancer survivors attended the overnight celebration and an additional 400 participants enjoyed music, food, games and team walks that lasted through the night and into Saturday morning.

"Cancer never sleeps," Hoover said. "Neither did we."

Hoover's husband, William, received the Brightest Light Award for raising the largest amount of donations. In turn, Hoover presented the award to cancer survivor Deborah Shader of Bath, a good friend of the couple.

Until this year, the annual fundraiser was called the Bath Relay for Life and was held at the Steuben County Fairgrounds. Organizers moved the event to the Firemen's Park and renamed it the Bath- Hammondsport Relay for Life. According to Mrs. Hoover, participants said they enjoyed the smaller area.