Almost $218K raised by 2007 Relay for Life

Monday, April 30, 2007

With donations still coming in, the 2007 Putnam County Relay For Life has collected $217,670 -- about $4,000 more than last year as the event ended.

"Money will continue to come in, as has been the case each year," says DePauw senior and event co-chair Kyle Hawkins. "The books don't close until Aug. 31, and we want people to know there's still time to make a difference in the fight against cancer."

Hundreds of pirates gathered Saturday at noon at DePauw University's Blackstock Stadium -- not to raid and plunder, but to raise vital funds for the American Cancer Society. The 2007 Putnam County Relay For Life, a 24-hour walk, began at noon with a theme of "Make Cancer Walk the Plank."

The 2007 edition of Relay has already set several records. A total $36,000 was collected from sponsors, bettering last year's $33,500. There were 121 cancer survivors at the event, 11 more than 2006. The total of teams was just shy of 200 (196), and approximately 2,000 people walked during the round-the-clock fundraiser.

The DePauw-hosted event has consistently won awards for being among the best of its kind among American colleges and universities. Last year's Relay For Life raised approximately $220,000 for the fight against cancer. The fundraiser raised $20,000 in 1998, its initial year.

The 1999 total of approximately $30,000 was eclipsed by 2000's $42,000. Then, 2001 brought in $80,000; followed by $127,000 in 2002; more than $162,000 in 2003; 2004's $208,735; and a 2005 total of more than $230,000.

As noted above, you can support Relay For Life by making a donation online. For details, send an e-mail to relayforlife@depauw .edu.

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