Submitted photo Pictured left to right are representatives of the Appalachian Regional Hospital Relay for Life Team: Hannah Dempsey, Gloria Blair, Sue Gaye Keesee, Martha Sue Roberts, Angie Sosebee and Kim Harvel. The hospital held its “Balloon Pop” fundraiser on Friday — one of the ways their team raises funds for the American Cancer Association.

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By RACHEL C. DOVE

Staff Writer

SOUTH WILLIAMSON, Ky. - Friday morning, a “balloon pop” was held at the South Williamson Appalachian Regional Hospital, with over 100 balloons filled with certificates for prizes purchased by the public at a cost of $5 each.

The prizes, according to ARH Human Resources Director Martha Harvel, were donated by hospital employees and area merchants.

The balloon pop raised over $500 for the hospital’s Relay for Life team, and Harvel said that, on behalf of ARH, she wanted to thank everyone who participated.

The 2012 annual Relay for Life is scheduled to take place at the Lefty Hamilton Park in West Williamson on Friday, June 15, beginning at 7 p.m. The event will conclude on Saturday morning at 5 a.m.

“We encourage everyone to attend this event,” said Harvel. “We have all in some way been affected by cancer, and we need to do our part to raise funding to promote research for a cure.”

The staff and administration of ARH are avid supporters of the Relay for Life event, which raises funding for the American Cancer Association. They are one of the largest contributors of all the Relay teams in the Tug Valley area and plan for that trend to continue in 2012.