Community Corner

Relay for Life Raises $55,000 to Fight Cancer

Saucon Valley Relay for Life has raised $55,000 toward its yearly goal of $76,500. The money raised by the local organization helps in the battle against cancer.

Saucon Valley Relay for Life has so far raised $55,000 to benefit the American Cancer Society and its ongoing fight against the deadly disease, co-chair Carol Schneider announced in an email to supporters May 25.

The organization's 2012 fundraising goal is $76,400, and it's counting on its second annual charity Duck Derby in August and possibly another fundraiser to help put it over the top, Schneider said.

Schneider also provided an update on team fundraising totals from Saucon Valley Relay for Life's signature annual event--, which was held in Hellertown's May 19-20.

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"We had 33 teams (11 were new) and 119 survivors registered," she said.

The top teams (in order of most raised so far) are:

Find out what's happening in Hellertown-Lower Sauconwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Platinum Club team ($7,500 and up):

Gold Club teams ($5,000 and up): Voices of Hope, Friends in the Fight, Fighters For the Future, and St. Luke's Hospice and Friends

Bronze Club teams ($2,500 and up): Laura's Lions, Lifesavers, and The Young and the Rest of Us

Rising Star teams ($1,000 and up): Sole Sisters, Cheering for a Cure, Team Hope, Motley Shues, and Golden Angels

Schneider said the 13 teams that have raised more than $1,000 each have together raised $50,000.

The top online teams for fundraising are Fighters For The Future, St. Luke's Hospice and Friends, and Laura's Lions.

Erik Schneider is top individual online fundraiser, Penny Ackerman is in second place and Carol Schneider is third.

The top individual fundraiser overall is Maria Makkas, with more than $7200, according to Schneider's email.

This year's Heart of Relay Award has been presented to "Kellie and Raea for going above and beyond" by organizing , she said.

The second annual will be held Sunday, Aug. 5 in conjunction with the from 9am to 1pm in Hellertown's .

Schneider said event sponsors and duck sponsors are currently being sought.

Duck sponsorships are $5 each or $25 for "a six quack," and will be sold by relay volunteers at the weekly farmers' market from June 10 to July 29.

The duck derby is a yellow rubber duckie race in the Saucon Creek, between --where the ducks are dumped into the water--and a point further downstream.


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