Relay finishes strong

BESSEMER — Despite wet weather and having to move indoors, the 17th annual Relay for Life went “very well,” according to event organizers.

“Even though we were banished inside, it was nice to still have the option to have it indoors,” Carl Fulsher, community representative for Relay for Life, said.

Relay was originally set to take place on Massie Field in Bessemer, but was moved inside the gym at A.D. Johnston High School because of rain Friday afternoon.

However, 24 hours later, the event wrapped up on Saturday and it was a success, according to Fulsher.

“I don’t have the final numbers yet, but we are expecting to bring in over $25,000,” Fulsher said. “Last year, we brought in $22,500 so a 15 percent increase is really nice.”

Twelve teams participated in the event, and Fulsher said those teams were the key to the event finishing strong.

“We had real quality teams this year,” Fulsher said. “This community is just amazing.”

An advantage to having the event indoors was the intimate setting for the survivor’s ceremony Friday night.

“You could feel everything that those survivors felt when they were speaking,” Fulsher said. “You could see all of their emotions and it made it a very intimate ceremony, even though we had 50 survivors attend. It was really inspirational.”

The goal for next year is to have the event outdoors on Massie Field; however, the odds don’t seem to be in favor of that, Fulsher said.

“If my math is correct, it has rained 14 out of the 17 events that we have had,” Fulsher said. “But, this community is amazing and gives anyway. It’s nice to have the indoor option here, in case the weather is less than favorable, but we know that everyone will still be supportive.”