Even though walkers have completed their laps for this year's Relay for Life, the race has been extended for Barbara Holmes.
She is getting a head start on next year's fundraising.
The First Zion Baptist Church member bakes sweet potato pies throughout the year to raise money for the cause.
"Instead of just asking people for donations, I wanted to try to give them something in return," Holmes explained.
She baked more 100 pies to benefit this year's Relay, contributing $812 from her pie proceeds.
The baker feels that by participating in her own fundraiser she is making a personal contribution to help the American Cancer Society raise awareness and research for a cure.
"The main thing is the Relay for Life is a fundraiser for them to continue to look for a cure," Holmes said. "And there are just so many other things that the American Cancer Society does to help people."
Keeping the race for a cure going throughout the year also has personal meaning.
"Because I am a two time cancer survivor...it was just something that was very important to me," Holmes said.
She was diagnosed with the disease in 2001 and 2005. She also lost her mother and two cousins to cancer.
Before baking pies for her RFL fundraiser, Holmes only baked them for family and during special occasions.
She is grateful to the support she receives from her church.
"Because if they didn't buy them, I wouldn't be able to raise as much money as I did," Holmes said. "They were great to me as well."
"I enjoy doing it," she said.
She is getting a head start on next year's fundraising.
The First Zion Baptist Church member bakes sweet potato pies throughout the year to raise money for the cause.
"Instead of just asking people for donations, I wanted to try to give them something in return," Holmes explained.
She baked more 100 pies to benefit this year's Relay, contributing $812 from her pie proceeds.
The baker feels that by participating in her own fundraiser she is making a personal contribution to help the American Cancer Society raise awareness and research for a cure.
"The main thing is the Relay for Life is a fundraiser for them to continue to look for a cure," Holmes said. "And there are just so many other things that the American Cancer Society does to help people."
Keeping the race for a cure going throughout the year also has personal meaning.
"Because I am a two time cancer survivor...it was just something that was very important to me," Holmes said.
She was diagnosed with the disease in 2001 and 2005. She also lost her mother and two cousins to cancer.
Before baking pies for her RFL fundraiser, Holmes only baked them for family and during special occasions.
She is grateful to the support she receives from her church.
"Because if they didn't buy them, I wouldn't be able to raise as much money as I did," Holmes said. "They were great to me as well."
"I enjoy doing it," she said.