Pamlico Relay for Life ‘was like a family'

BAYBORO - The Pamlico County Relay for Life raised $124,707.58, all in an effort to help find a cure for cancer, during this year's event at Pamlico County High School.

More than 500 people participated, and as many as 900 attended the weekend event led by Becky Spain and Doug Carey, both of Stonewall, and Robin Warren of Olympia.

"They ranged in age from six-week-old Brinley Altman, a baby who stayed there all night with the Bayboro Pharmacy team, to some participants in their 80s," Spain said.

The walk began Friday night. It continued until closing ceremonies at noon Saturday, when Spain said she and other coordinators "gave the reason why we relay and what we are going to do to continue our fight to find a cure."

Almost all who were involved have lost a family member to cancer or are a survivor themselves.

"I am so proud of Pamlico County," Spain said. "We worked together so well; it was like a family out there. No issues. Nice.

"We have tried in the past couple of years to bring Pamlico County together as one team for one cause," she said. "We are the top fund-raiser per capita in the nation for our population."

Spain said she does not plan to lead the Relay for Life effort in Pamlico County next year and is stepping down as county fund-raising coordinator. But she will remain active in the cause.

"It is my passion," she said. "I want it to be where nobody has to hear they have cancer. That's what 25 teams walked for. They have done an awesome job this year."

Sue Book can be reached at (252) 635-5666 or sbook@freedomenc.com.