Relay finishes up

Hundreds raised thousands of dollars Sunday at the Relay for Life in Carson City.

The total reached near $24,000 at the final count early that morning.

Relay chairman Dr. Ruth Adams has been involved for three years with the event and this year marks her fifth.

"We still have funds coming in," Relay chairman Adams said. "We may not have the whole total for a month or so."

Another woman counted money as she put it into a bank bag before zipping it up.

The mammovan was still on the field and soldiers in camoflauge were running on the track where relay runners had been only hours before as this army decamped and headed for home.

The Cancer Society will have another relay at Lampe Park on July 19 and at Incline Village Aug. 15.

During the Luminary event Saturday night, participants made a silent lap around the dimly lit track.

"We honor both survivors and it's a time to reflect on people who have passed from cancer," Adams said. "This year we had had the principal and supervisor of cancer resource center as the speakers who were very uplifting, then we lit the candles around the perimeter of the track then did a silent lap, then Dave and Marcy Troescher sang a song called "The Prayer."

Relay For Life is an event designed to celebrate cancer survivors and raise money for research and programs, making the Luminary ceremony the annual highlight.

During the event itself, teams of people took turns walking or running laps.

Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times.

According to the society's Web site, the relay represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated.