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Fundraiser to fight cancer outdoes goal

The Spring Hill 2005 Relay for Life raises $123,000 over a very long night on Springstead High's track.

By MARY SPICUZZA
Published April 25, 2005

SPRING HILL - Just one lap around the track made the Relay for Life's goal clear: Participants had come together to work toward a "happily ever after" in the battle against cancer.

A booth devoted t o The Little Mermaid , built by staff members at J.D. Floyd Elementary School, featured characters from the film and a sign that read, "Bury Cancer Under the Sea."

A yellow brick road wound around the Emerald City and past miniature munchkin homes in The Wizard of Oz display created by Exit Success Realty.

And Christina Grispo, dressed as Little Bo Peep - complete with her sheep - relaxed by a white picket fence built by the Springstead High School National Honor Society.

"I was lost there for a minute," Springstead student and "sheep" Adam Myers said. "But I pretty much know what I'm doing so far."

Like Myers, planners clearly had things under control at the Spring Hill 2005 Relay for Life, which began Friday evening and continued until late Saturday morning at Springstead High. This year's event, with its theme "Dreams Do Come True ... Imagine a World Without Cancer," raised $123,000 for the American Cancer Society.

It surpassed the cancer society's goal of $115,000.

A second relay is planned for Tom Varn Park in Brooksville this weekend.

"It was a huge success," event chairwoman Debbie Cutlip said of the Spring Hill relay. "I feel fantastic."

Cutlip said the relay group's goal was actually $130,000, adding that it's still looking for people to donate.

Fifty teams participated in the overnight event, setting up campsites and enjoying hours of games and entertainment.

A sleepy Hannah Edmisten, 10, who was on the Spring Hill Fire Rescue team, said she won seven goldfish in one game.

"I'm tired," she said. "I haven't been to bed."

Spring Hill Fire Chief J.J. Morrison said the fashion show was his favorite event.

"He was supposed to be in it," his daughter Catherine, 13, added.

Amid the festive atmosphere, many at the event spoke of loved ones lost to cancer.

Jack Sirowich said his team, Wendy's Krewe Florida Cancer Institute, was named in honor of his wife, Wendy, who died of lung cancer in January 2004.

"She passed away before the relay last year," Sirowich said. "But we kept it going."

Others applauded the event for bringing attention to the issue.

"Events like this make more people aware of cancer," said cancer survivor Cheryl Laushot, a member of the Wal-Mart Supercenter team. "It is so predominant, and about everybody you talk to is a survivor or knows a survivor."

But by late Saturday morning, most seemed to have only one thing on their minds: getting some sleep.

"I'm exhausted. I walked all night," said Grispo, still wearing her puffy Little Bo Peep dress and pink bonnet. "I walked the entire night, except for 20 minutes."

--Mary Spicuzza can be reached at mspicuzza@sptimes.com or 352 848-1432.

[Last modified April 25, 2005, 01:04:14]