Dr. James Kimbrough walked his Relay for Life laps like many others, with his head down. He was in search of the luminaries decorated in honor of loved ones, including his mother, first wife and mother-in-law.
The Relay for Life board member and First Baptist Church team leader also walked with a smile on his face.
“We have had a good turnout. I feel really good about our future because people are genuinely interested in supporting our efforts to fight cancer,” he said.
Hundreds flocked to the Troy Sportsplex soccer field in support of the fight against cancer. Pike County Relay for Life celebrated its 20th annual event with a luau theme.
Team KW Plastics embraced that theme by decorating their tent with streaming leis and tiki face lights.
Team leader Hollie Garner said the team raised about $7,000 with donations and their pink trash can campaign.
“We’ve always been a part of relay, but it wasn’t until five years ago that we actually formed a team,” she said. “Everybody’s been affected by cancer and this is a way as a company we can show support.”
Mickey Deveridge said the folks at Bill Jackson Chevrolet were there to show support for a co-worker who lost his wife to cancer.
Goshen Elementary School brought a few beauty queens for the celebration. Team leader Kim Faulkner said the school raised $1,800 in four weeks by holding a beauty pageant and selling t-shirts.
Event chair Tammy Calhoun said it was great to see so many participants. Money continued to come in at the relay as some teams raised money by selling things at the event.
“It’s been wonderful,” she said. “I just appreciate all of the volunteers that donated their time to making it a success. It takes everybody to make it work.”