By By Adrienne McKenzie
Community members, cancer survivors and those whose lives have been affected by the disease came together Saturday at Escambia County High School for Atmore's Relay for Life event inside Herbert Barnes Stadium.
Atmore Relay for Life teams raised $81,297 for the American Cancer Society for research, education, advocacy and services for cancer.
Relay for Life chairman Walt Butler believes the event was great.
"I think it went fabulous," Butler said. "The entertainment was fabulous, they did a super job in getting us a plethora of entertainment. There were a great group of entertainers, all from the area. There was really, really good entertainment."
The overall money-winner for Relay for Life was United Bank with a total of $12,576. The first runner-up was First National Bank &Trust with $12,152, second runner-up was Atmore Community Hospital with $8,788 and fourth runner-up was Atmore Family Medicine with $4,439.
According to Butler, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians have not held their Relay for Life event yet, Relay Idol, which will more than likely bring in a lot of money.
"Poarch hasn't done their Idol event yet," he said. "Last year they brought in the most money with their Idol event."
According to Butler, the Relay for Life total last year was more than $92,000 but he is hopeful about the teams that have yet to turn in their totals, along with the Poarch event, he believes this year's Relay goal will be reached.
"We've got some teams still raising money and bringing in checks," he said. "We are really optimistic about reaching our $92,000 goal."
As part of the Relay event, Tammi's Cuttin Loose Salon cut individual's hair for Locks of Love.
"The haircut was a major thing," Butler said. "We were thrilled that we had nine participants. We want to thank the folks that donated their hair and Tammi for cutting and styling it afterwards."
Butler really understands why events such as the Relay for Life are important because he is a cancer survivor.
"As a survivor, I think this is what we as survivors owe back to the medical community," he said. "I realize that there are two things that cure cancer, that's prayer and research."