By VICKI BROWN
Relay for Life’s Paint the Town Purple slogan began on June 25, but the event has been so poorly attended and funded that event leaders are asking for more donations to be submitted.
In May, Walterboro Mayor Bill Young and Walterboro City Council members granted permission to Colleton Relay for Life Coordinator Jessica Cartrette to celebrate Relay for Life during the week of June 20th - 26th, in honor of cancer survivors and in memory of those who have been lost to the disease.
The goal was set for $50,000 and the luminary service was to be conducted on Friday, June 25, at the Walterboro Wildlife Center amphitheater from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., with glowsticks in the luminaria bags at dark.
But less than 30 people attended the event and only $7,105 was raised. For the organizers, it was a disappointing evening as Colleton’s Relay for Life event came up severely short in achieving its goal for this year.
“Everything went well, but turnout was obviously low,” Cartrette said. “We knew it was going to be a small year, but we at least did have a turnout. You have to look on the bright side. Not everyone is quite ready to come out, especially with our Relay for Life crowd. A lot of these supporters and survivors are high-risk for COVID-19,” she said.
“This was our recovery year,” said Cartrette. “Everything last year was cancelled, but we are already gearing up for next year.”
Cartrette pointed out that all of the donated money is used for cancer research and for patient services, such as giving free wigs to people who are going through chemotherapy. The patient services also provide free rides to and from medical appointments.
Additionally, the raised money also supports The Hope Lodge in Charleston. “This is where cancer patients can stay while going through treatments and is completely free of charge, thanks to Relay for Life funds,” said Cartrette.
All of the money raised in Colleton County for Relay for Life stays in the Southeast region, supporting people in Colleton County. “We benefit from money raised,” she said.
Although Colleton did not come near to reaching the $50,000 goal, there is still time between now and September to raise funds for cancer research. Clubs and organizations can have their own fundraisers and continue to donate money to Relay.
Donations for this year’s Relay for Life can still be made by reaching Cartrette directly at jcartrette@REVfcu.com or by going to www.relay.org/colletonsc.
