Cancer survivors and those that support them gathered at BB&T on South Lee Street in Rockingham Friday to raise money to fight the disease.

“We normally do a raffle but this time we decided to serve food,” said BB&T Financial Center Leader Dawn Garner. When the raffles are done local companies donate an item which is raffled off. This branch of BB&T has a designated team that works with the Relay for Life of Rockingham. The drive was held outside, under a tent in the warm weather.

The branch had items that were donated by IGA, Subway and Food Lion, and Tommy D. and crew cooked.

“Tommy D. is a great guy and he volunteers for the community out of the goodness of his heart,” said Garner. The remaining items were donated by the staff.

“Each time we hold a donation drive we do very well,” said Garner.

“The drive went better than expected,” said Brian Baucom, an employee. We had to get more items because we were running out.”

In hopes to raise as much as possible the Rockingham branch pulled employees from their regional offices to help. The regional office participates in the Relay for Life as well.

“My brother is a cancer survivor, and it means a lot to all the employees, said Garner. “Any opportunity we get to make others feel good about themselves we take advantage of.”

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is an event that gives communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Mary Williamson gave a donation to the cause Friday.

“My husband is a cancer survivor, I’m here every year,” she said.

Being that this is such an important cause, the regional president of BB&T, Vince Nelson was also at the event.

“This is an exciting time and we are always looking for new ways to help the community,” Nelson said.

Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year it involves more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States.

The branch is currently selling bracelets and shoes for Relay for Life donations. The amount of the donation is up to the customer. For more information on Relay for Life you can look at their Web site www.relayforlife.org

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com.