The 2012 Miss-Lou Relay for Life and fundraising leading up to it raised $189,000, and organizers are hoping to raise another $20,000 during the next two weeks to meet their goal for the annual American Cancer Society fundraiser.

Janis Holder, Relay accounting chair, said some teams still have money to turn in, and a Relay for Life 5K is planned for May 19.

With those things in mind, Holder is hopeful that Relay will meet this year’s goal of $209,000.

“We are headed in the right direction,” Holder said. “And I’m hoping we can get all of it.”

The Markets, Delta Bank and Natchez educators topped the team fundraising efforts with $20,000, $18,000 and $17,000 raised respectively.

Holder said she was grateful for the hard work of all the teams and team captains who make the Miss-Lou Relay for Life a success each year.

“I am extremely proud of all our teams and team captains,” Holder said. “They are always thinking of new ideas and creative ways for fundraising, and they are key to making Relay successful.”

This year’s Relay events, Holder said, were problem-free, something she said she attributes to the watchful eyes of local law enforcement.

“We had officers and deputies all over the riverfront and walking the track eyeballing any potential problems, and I’ve very thankful that because of that we did not have any problems or issues,” she said.

Holder said she was also very thankful to the crowd of people that came out to the riverfront for Relay this year, despite the hot weather and humidity. She said the success of Miss-Lou Relay events each year is essential.

“More and more people we all know and love from all walks of life are affected by cancer every year, and we need to continue to raise money each year so we can find that cure,” Holder said.

Miss-Lou Relay for Life Chairperson Sherry Kaiser agreed that Relay’s continued success is absolutely key to finding a cure.

“One of these days we will get there,” she said. “But until then, we have to continue to raise money for cancer research and awareness.”

Relay for Life donations can be sent to the American Cancer Society at P.O. Box 1027, Natchez, MS, 39121.