PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles Relay for Life raised $21,035 to support cancer research and awareness over Saturday and Sunday, and fundraising will continue through the end of August.
The 24-hour Hollywood-themed fundraiser at the Clallam County Fairgrounds included 17 teams and 148 participants.
“Overall, we are very pleased with the 2014 event. We had fun and raised dollars and awareness in the fight against cancer,” said Deb West, chairwoman of the committee organizing the event.
“Even though our numbers were down, the spirit and dedication of our teams and committee and survivors was way up.”
In 2012, the Relay for Life and associated events raised just under $70,000, and in 2013, volunteers raised $45,000, she said.
For more information or to donate, visit http://tinyurl.com/PDN-relayforlifePA.
Relay For Life raises money for cancer research through a variety of activities, including pledges for walkers who make laps around a marked track at the fairgrounds.
Proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
The drum group from the Lower Elwha Klallam tribe performed the “Help Song” to give strength and lift up the volunteers and walkers during the opening ceremony.
Top fundraising teams
■ Team Bethany — $3,190.01
■ Bella Rosa Coffee House —$1,945.78
■ Never Say “Never”— $1,851.36
Top individual fundraisers
■ Anita Bonham — $817
■ Tiffany Kovalenko — $580
■ Deb West — $531.84
A raffle for a 60-inch plasma television raised $30, and the prize was won by Erika Kirschner.
Two members of the Clallam County 4-H team, Gabby and Lesa Irwin, walked 100 laps each — about 19 miles — and kept track of the number of laps with a hash mark on the arm using a black marker, West said.
Family members had pledged $1 for each lap they walked, West said.
The Port Angeles Relay For Life was the first of the year on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Relay For Life of Jefferson County will be from noon to noon July 26-27 at Memorial Field, 550 Washington St. in Port Townsend.
The Relay For Life of Forks will be from 3 p.m. Aug. 1 to noon Aug. 2 at Forks High School, 261 S. Spartan Ave.
The Relay For Life of Sequim will be from 6 p.m. Aug. 8 to 8 a.m. Aug. 9 at the Sequim High School track, 601 N. Sequim Ave.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.