By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

Raising funds for Chilton County’s Relay for Life to benefit the American Cancer Society has personal significance for a group of Clanton Middle School sixth-grade students.

As a part of this year’s fundraisers Sherrie Littlefield suggested selling paper stars in memory or in honor of people in the community who had cancer.

Stars were sold for $1 and the name of the cancer patient or survivor written on the star.

Student Jacie Baker bought one in honor of his mom who overcame breast cancer twice. She has now been in remission for about four years.

“Hopefully, she won’t have it again because it still in her,” Baker said.

Being a part of selling the stars “makes me happy because I knew I was doing something” to help, he said.

Colon cancer has impacted student Carter Emmerich’s family. He purchased a star in memory of his grandfather, who died on April 4, 2016.

“It wasn’t the first time he had it. He’s had it several times,” Emmerich said.

His aunt has been recently diagnosed with the same cancer. The cancer has been removed, and she is in chemotherapy treatments.

Jensyn Porter was diagnosed with Leukemia when she was about three years old.

“I’ve been in remission for five years,” Porter said.

participating in the start fundraiser “reminds me that it helps people like me,” Porter said.

In addition to being involved at Relay fundraisers at school, Porter has been involved in the Relay for Life event and West End Baptist Church Relay For Life pageant fundraiser.

Student Lynn Stamps’ father was diagnosed with three different types of cancer before he died. She and a friend each bought a star in memory of him. Stamps said donating to Relay for Life “makes me feel good that I am doing something to help out.”

She has also participated in the Relay for Life pageant fundraiser organized by West End Baptist Church.

“We have had several who have come by the table, and they don’t have cancer in their family, and they’ve just given a donation,” Littlefield said.

Littlefield said the sixth-grade teachers organize a number of fundraisers each year to support the Relay for Life team.  This year, in addition to selling the stars, CMS held a cake auction, teacher specific fundraisers and penny war.

“It made me feel good to give money … and trying to save a life. I didn’t want my grandfather to pass, but I couldn’t stop it. Donating that money helps me feel good to know I can stop somebody from passing,” Emmerich said.

The American Cancer Society funds research to find a cure for cancer and serves as an awareness organization for information about patient support, treatment and prevention.

CMS has surpassed their $1,000 fundraising goal for this year.