ROCKINGHAM — In its first year in the 2020s, Richmond County’s Relay for Life raised more than $30,000.
Heather Guinn, manager of the Richmond County Cancer Care Treasure Shop, said in a June 23 email that the May 1 event brought in $33,249.30.
More than 700 people attended Relay for Life at Richmond Senior High School, Guinn said. This was the first county event since before the COVID pandemic, and the 2019 Relay was held in the parking lot of Cole Auditorium. It was previously organized for 18 years.
“We are super excited with the (turnout), and even more excited for the amount raised,” Guinn said in the email.
Guinn clarified that the amount was just from the Relay event and doesn’t include how much the store has raised. That total will be released later.
The origins of Relay for Life date back 40 years when colorectal surgeon Dr. Gordy Klatt secured sponsorships for a 24-hour run/walk around track at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. His effort reportedly raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society
Rodney Gandy opened the Treasure Shop in 2018 to support Relay for Life and raised more than $350,000 from 2021-2024.
During the years where there was no local Relay, the Treasure Shop hosted a “Walk for a Cure.”
In November 2025, the Treasure Shop hosted an event at The Ballroom in Hamlet, recognizing current and former employees and featuring survivor stories.
