Annual Fundraiser Brings in Thousands - Fort Worth, TX

It was just a year ago that my oldest sister Joy was told she was now cancer-free after being diagnosed in 2008.

In less than a month she will get to greet her first granddaughter when her younger daughter gives birth.

The American Cancer Society's signature charity event that takes place throughout the country in various places in the spring has been raising many dollars toward the cure and research of the disease.

The Fort Worth, Texas chapter has raised $130,000 as of April 24 for their Relay for Life® and Benbrook and Mansfield held their races last night. Mansfield's race, held at Rose Park, had raised $46,000.41 as of Friday night and fundraising continues through 7 a.m. Saturday.

Arlington's, Grand Prairie's, and Grapevine are scheduled for next weekend and Euless and Saginaw's took place last weekend. Arlington's starts at 6 p.m. at Rangers Ballpark, Coca-Cola Pavilion April 30 and so far 937 participants have signed up.

Euless' top fundraising teams were American Airlines and Delta.

May 14-15 Southeast Denton County's in Lewisville will be held in the overnight event which is a community celebration when groups of friends, family members,and co-workers form teams to run or walk around a track to raise spirits, awareness, and funds to fight cancer.

This year's theme for most Tarrant County relays was "Creating a World with More Birthdays" and several walks had jump houses with fake birthday cakes on top as well as booths and tables set up with the message.

All races start at 6 p.m. and go until 6 a.m. the following morning.

For many attending Relays for Life®, one of the most moving parts of the event is the Ceremony of Hope in which numerous luminarias are lighted in memory of those who lost their fight to cancer and in honor of ones still battling the illness.

Burleson, Texas' Relay for Life® which took place last weekend at Kerr Middle School, raised over $143,000 with 1,245 participants and 119 teams. Their theme was "Burleson Goes Hollywood. Lights, Camera, Action."

McKinney's Relay takes place April 30 at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch and as of April 24, 1,793 participants had registered.

Denton's fundraiser brought in over $94,000 with 958 walkers in the April 17-18 event.

Frisco's will have theirs May 7 and 8 at Memorial Stadium.

For more information on all of this year's relays in Texas, access events.cancer.org or relayforlife.org.