Relay for Life nets more than $100,000

More than $100,000 was raised in only 24 hours at the annual Huntington Beach Relay for Life last weekend.

The American Cancer Society hosted the fundraiser to raise money toward their goal of eliminating cancer as a major health issue in the world and to raise awareness about cancer prevention and treatment.

“We’re just shy of our goal of $115,000,” said event chairwoman Victoria Alberty. “But we’d like to remind people that we will continue collecting donations for the cause until late August.”

Eight hundred locals attended the fundraiser. Seventy-five of these 800 were people who had survived a battle with cancer. The survivors were strongly encouraged to attend the relay to lend their strength to families struggling with the disease and to show their support for the cause.

The American Cancer Assn. also hosted a Cut-A-Thon as part of the festivities, encouraging people to donate six to eight inches of hair to cancer patients who have suffered hair loss as part of their treatment. The booth attendees planned on giving haircuts from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., but became so overwhelmed by the turnout of people that they were still servicing people at 5 p.m., Alberty said.

— Derek Swain