OLD TOWN – The American Cancer Society’s 13th annual 24-hour Relay for Life at Old Town High School track raised more than $197,000 May 19-20. The overnight walk raised money for cancer research and patient programs and services.

“We aimed for $190,000 and we not only passed our goal, but we still have more money coming in,” Carla Bommarito, volunteer chairman for the 2006 American Cancer Society Relay For Life, said in a recent press release. “Many cancer survivors, anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer, showed up to participate as well. It was very touching and emotional for all of us.”

The top individual fundraiser was Estelle Levesque of Bradley, who was this year’s honorary relay chairwoman in Old Town. Levesque raised more than $2,200.

The highest fundraising team was MJ Cap’s Connection, bringing in more than $25,000. MJ Cap’s Connection was the first team in the 13 years of the Old Town Relay for Life to collect over $25,000.

A total of 185 teams, representing area businesses, clubs, and organizations throughout eastern Maine, participated in the event.

Bommarito said that money raised in the 2006 Relay For Life will be used to speed up the search for new weapons to fight cancer.

“Cancer will soon become the number one killer in America as baby boomers grow older,” Bommarito said. “In order to expand our patient services in Greater Bangor and research new ways to treat patients, we’ve got to channel more public attention and money into this problem.”

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and patient services.