Relay for Life tops $750k for cancer research

Community Resource Credit Union was one of nearly 100 teams that participated in this year’s Relay for Life held April 8 and 9 at Royal Purple Raceway.

By BOBBY HORN JR.
BAYTOWN—Helping to create a world with more birthdays, a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life, volunteers came together April 8 and 9 for the annual Bay Area Relay for Life.
And came together they did, with organizers estimating more than 8,000 participants involved in the all-night fundraiser/ party.
This year’s event featured a change in venue. While held at Stallworth Stadium in years’ past, the 2011 Bay Area Relay for Life was held at the Royal Purple Raceway, formerly Houston Raceway Park.
The event began April 8 at 6 p.m. with Suzzanah Moorman singing the National Anthem. Then cancer survivors and healthcare providers kicked off the relay to a crowd of applause as they walked the opening lap. The event concluded April 9 at 8 a.m.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.
Beyond celebrating the accomplishments of the survivors, the event is also a major fundraiser for the cancer society. According to the Bay Area Relay for Life website, the event took in $768,420.80, exceeding the $750,000 goal. The Bay Area Relay for the Life has been the top fundraising event in Texas for the past 10 years, as well as the top event in the six-state High Plains Region.
The funds raised include $105,325.82 take in cash the morning of the event as well as memorials and gifts given through estate planning.
Close to 100 teams, from Baytown, Highlands, Crosby and Mont Belvieu participated in the event. The teams represented churches, businesses, schools and groups of friends and family members.
The ExxonMobil BrookHollow Wildflowers was the top fundraising team with $15,910. ExxonMobil BTEC’s team raised $11,640.83 for second place and coming in third was Angels in the Outfield with $5,712.86. Angels in the outfield also came in first in the Family and Friends division.
Top individual fundraisers were the Tom Barnes Memorial Fun Day with $11,005; Robert Botto (jogging in his signature Texas Flag shorts) with $8,535.83 and Julie Hietpass with $2,186.13.