By Joe Smillie Forum Editor

Forks Relay for Life participants plundered local philanthropists $35,600 for the American Cancer Society during the 24-hour event around the Forks High School track last weekend.

Diane Edwards, publicity chairman for the event and a member of the Puddle Jumpers Relay team, said the event, with more than 400 participants, topped the fundraising goal of $35,000.

“We got over that mark we set, so we’re ecstatic over how the event went,” Edwards said.

Under the theme “Pirates of the Cureibeen,” teams swashbuckled around the track from Friday afternoon through the night until the last lap Saturday afternoon.

A “pirate parade” led relay participants through town and special ships were raced around the track by the relay’s various teams.

The Puddle Jumpers team, made up of Forks Elementary School staffers, were tops in fundraising with $6,492 raised by members.

Friday evening’s Survivor Victory lap featured more than 60 cancer survivors who had together survived a cumulative 444 years with cancer, according to Jody Cook, who registered survivors for the special lap.

To donate, visit the Relay for Life website: www.relayforlife.org. Forks donors also can mail checks to Relay for Life, in care of Diane Edwards, 7673 La Push Road, Forks, WA 98331.