Lemont-Homer Glen Relay for Life Raises Nearly $60K for American Cancer Society

Months of fund-raising and planning culminated in yet another successful Relay for Life of Lemont-Homer Glen, which raised nearly $60,000 for cancer treatment and research over the weekend.

More than 220 participants on 21 teams walked for 12 hours Friday night through Saturday morning at the Lemont High School Sports Complex at 131st Street and Bell Road in Lemont.

Janine Davidson, a spokesperson for Relay for Life of Lemont-Homer Glen, said the event raised $59,114 as of Tuesday, and is expected to take in another $2,000 to $3,000 by the end of next month.

"Overall, it was another successful event. Although the rain and wind tried to dampen our spirits, everyone persevered," Davidson said. We wish to thank all of our participants, sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible."

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According to RelayforLife.org, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities across the United States take part in Relay for Life each year to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease. During the event, teams of people camp out at a large community venue and take turns walking around a track or path.

Since 2005, the Relay for Life of Lemont-Homer Glen has raised more than $500,000 for cancer research and treatment, according to event organizers.

"I am always amazed at the great sense of community and volunteerism," Davidson said of the event. "It makes me proud to live in a community where everyone is so willing to lend a hand to a neighbor or friend. We all know someone who has been devastated by cancer. By supporting the American Cancer Society it take us one day closer to finding a cure and celebrating more birthdays."

Top fund-raising teams from the event, according to the Relay for Life website, were ($10,721), Team VT ($6,482) and Walgreen's Comm 314 ($5,853). Top individuals were Mike Bruno ($1,717), Janine Davidson ($1,690) and Jacalyn McElmeel ($1,500).

This year's Relay for Life included a number of fun activities for participants, including a midnight dance party, Twister, water balloon volleyball and a scavenger hunt.

Special guests included Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves and speaker Amanda Curry, who lost her leg to bone cancer when she was just 15 years old. She was accompanied by her parents, Bill and Bettye Curry, also cancer survivors.

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Donations will be accepted through Aug. 31. To donate, visit relayforlife.org/lemontil.

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