Howard County's Relays earn more than money

Raising almost $400,000 for the American Cancer Society is not the only thing Howard County’s two Relays For Life accomplished in 2010. They also garnered several awards.

Both Relay For Life of Howard County at Hammond High School in Columbia and Relay For Life of Western Howard County held at Western Regional Park in Woodbine earned All-American Awards. Only four of the 612 relays in the South Atlantic Division received this distinction which recognizes growth, retention, Relay branding, diversity, and leadership in the development of fundraising, event, leadership, team and survivorship.

Mary McCormack chaired Relay For Life of Howard County 2010 Relay. In its 15th year, the 2010 relay raised $266,336, a $15,360 increase from 2009.

Marcia Brake chaired the 2010 Relay For Life of Western Howard County. In its fourth year, the relay raised $128,827, a $34,635 increase from 2009.

Both relays were held in June and both increased the number of teams and survivors who attended from the previous year.

This is the second consecutive year that Relay For Life of Western Howard County received the All-American Award.

The Howard County relays also captured two state awards. Maryland has 38 relays.

Relay For Life of Western Howard County garnered the State Spirit of Relay award for best overall Relay in the region. The award acknowledged the relay’s excellent mission and survivor activities, luminaria ceremony, entertainment, and themes/decorations.

Relay For Life of Howard County at Hammond High School earned the Marketing Award though its superior use of community-based grassroots and traditional marketing as well as social networking. Connie Ballenger was the marketing chairperson.

Relay For Life of Howard County got a banner for raising more than $200,000 and Relay For Life of Western Howard County earned one for pulling in more than $100,000. In addition, each relay got a banner for collectively raising at least $1 per capita. Per capita is calculated by taking the total amount of money raised in a county and dividing it by the population of that county. Howard County’s per capita was $1.42.

“These awards reflect on the volunteers, participants and teams. You couldn’t have asked for better people. They worked extremely hard,” said Katie Cosgrove, a local American Cancer Society community manager. The awards were presented at the Maryland State Relay Conference at the Hilton Garden Inn at White Marsh on Oct. 23.

Relay For Life is a life-changing event that brings the community together to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and empower individuals and communities to fight back against a disease. During the overnight event, teams take turns walking around a track. Before and during the event teams raise funds for the American Cancer Society. The first Relay For Life was held in 1985. Now, one in every 100 Americans participates in a Relay.

Relay For Life of Howard County at Hammond High School will be held June 3 and 4, 2011. Relay For Life of Western Howard County will take place June 10 and 11, 2011 at Western Regional Park.

For information about participating on a Planning Committee or forming a team for either relay, call Katie Cosgrove at 410-781-4316.