Production Date
June 30, 2001

Our Town: Emporium/Cameron County in a nutshell...

Visiting Emporium and Cameron County, viewers discover an area filled with civic pride, beautiful scenery, and a real sense of service to the community. On a beautiful summer day, viewers visit the town’s parks and monuments, learn about the area’s sintered metals industry, and even visit the “Spit and Argue” club.

Feature Segment:
Relay for Life

The “Relay For Life” began in 1985 when Dr. Gordon Klatt, a Tacoma, Washington surgeon and an American Cancer Society volunteer, ran and walked on a local track for 24 hours traveling 81 miles and raised funds to help fight cancer.

The 2000 Cameron County Relay for Life holds the distinction of being 1st in Pennsylvania for per capita fundraising, and 2nd in the nation. In 1999, they were 1st in the commonwealth and 5th in the U.S.

This year, they raised nearly $61,000 which may indeed place them number 1 in the state and perhaps even number 1 in America.

The 24-hour walk is comprised of teams who have to have one of their teammates on the track at any given time during the relay. At 10:00 pm during the walk, Luminaries with the names of those who have succumbed to cancer or are currently battling the disease are lit up around the track.

Deb Costanzo, who helps to coordinate the yearly fundraiser, said, “It’s all about a county coming together to support those who need our support.”