Relay for Life exceeds fundraising goal

COEUR d'ALENE - Enthusiasm and donations marked this year's Kootenai County Relay for Life.

Johna Nelson, publicity co-chair, said the goal was to raise $100,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society. While contributions are still being tallied, the preliminary count was about $115,000.

"That's great news," Nelson said. "We were so excited."

She credited great team development - there were 67 teams, which topped the goal of 60 - for the 18-hour event's success. A focus on advance publicity helped, too.

"Everybody was incredibly enthusiastic," she said.

Cancer survivors led the way.

All 150 cancer survivors T-shirts were distributed, and the opening lap at the Greyhound Park and Events Center was a mass of people who are fighting or have beaten cancer.

As the night went on, games, music and vendors kept everyone fired up. This year, everything was moved to the infield grass, instead of some activities being inside the main building.

"I think that helped keep people motivated," she said.

Even the weather held out, with sunny skies for Friday night's start, cold but dry throughout the night and sunshine again for the final ceremonies Saturday morning.

"We were all geared up to be dumped on," Nelson said.

She said this year's Relay was one of the best.

"Even with the economy the way it is, everybody kind of rallied together and we managed to make and beat our goal," she said. "People are still willing to help out."