The 17th annual Chenango Relay For Life wrapped up Saturday morning at the Chenango County Fairgrounds and event chair Marie DeSarro said the yearly event brought in an estimated $140,000 for the American Cancer Society and its fight against cancer.

DeSarro is confident this number will increase - it is short of the desired goal of $158,000 - as donations can still be made to the cause through August 31.

The Survivor Dinner held Friday night was a great success, added DeSarro, who said it was the largest group of survivors ever assembled, with more than 150 attending.

The inclement weather dampened the Luminaria Ceremony, but it did not dampen any spirits.

“We still got it together,” said DeSarro. “Read the names of those “In Memory of” and some teams were still able to light their Luminaria bags even after all the rain.”

While DeSarro didn’t have an exact total of the number of Luminaria bags, she said they spanned almost all the way around the inside and outside of the fairground track.

The Relay For Life planning committee dedicates 11 months of the year to the organization of this event, and DeSarro extended her appreciation to all the members of the committee. She additionally stated her gratitude to all of the team captains for their hard work in raising funds and organizing their teams. DeSarro also stated without the sponsors that have helped out, Chenango’s Relay For Life wouldn’t be able to donate as much back to the ACS as they do.

“To our survivors - they braved the awful heat to be a be a part of the biggest group of survivors ever at our event,” said DeSarro. “So many of them still took the entire survivor lap, which was absolutely inspiring.”

Donations can still be made at relayforlife.org/chenangocountyny via debit or credit card, or a cash or check donation can be mailed to American Cancer Society c/o Helen Gregory, 5 Oak Avenue, Sidney, N.Y. 13838. Be sure to note with your donation that it is for Relay For Life of Chenango County, and specify if you would like to apply it to a specific team or individual.

Pictured are Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. (far left) and Sheriff Ernest Cutting Jr. (far right) as they flank a group of cancer survivors for a lap around the Chenango County Fairgrounds as part of the 17th annual Relay For Life of Chenango County. Hundreds made their way to the fairgrounds both Friday and Saturday to celebrate, remember and join the fight against cancer. – Ashley Biviano