An estimated 400 people showed up to show support and try their luck during the 18th Annual ACS Chinese Auction held recently at the Lakeside Ballroom in Barnesville. Carbon-Tamaqua Chapter of the American Cancer Society Telethon Committee and volunteers succeeded in reaching their goal of beating last year's total of about $18,900. The final tally will be announced during the upcoming ACS telethon.

Co-chairs MaryAnn Dulaney and her daughter Jess Kutza stated how pleased they were with how everything came together and the amount of regular and new volunteers that came out to help.Some of the over 500 prizes included a laptop computer, Nintendo XBox Game System, big screen TV, gift certificates for fuel oil, hand-held GPS Navigator System, gift certificates and more. Entertainment was provided for the fourth year running by Cody Sassaman of Tamaqua. Joe Krushinsky, telethon chairman and longtime volunteer, was the speaker and ticket caller."The first year we had this, we raised about $7,000," said Dulaney. "Hundreds of contributors, supporters, old volunteers, and new volunteers gave so much to make this Chinese auction and fundraiser one of the best we've ever had."Some businesses and organizations contacted Dulaney to provide donations or volunteers, such as the Tamaqua Lions LEO Club, Tamaqua Salvation Army Needlebugs Sewing Group, and many others. The local Carbon-Tamaqua ACS chapter places a strong emphasis on the organization's mission, which is to eliminate cancer as the major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer, through research, education, advocacy and service.The Carbon-Tamaqua American Cancer Society Relay For Life is scheduled for June 24. Visit

http://www.relayforlife.org/patamaquaarea or call the Carbon-Tamaqua American Cancer Society at (570) 645-2161 to sign up your team or for more information.Tamaqua Relay For Life organizers encourage teams to start fundraising as soon as they can. All proceeds from the auction and other fundraisers will be presented at the 32nd Annual ACS Telethon to be held April 9-10 at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe. It will also be broadcast live on BRC TV-13 and Service Electric TV. The public is encouraged to attend the telethon and live entertainment.