A record-setting Carbon Tamaqua American Cancer Society telethon ended Sunday with $215,949 raised for cancer research.

The old mark, set in 2014, was just over $213,000."We haven't seen the likes of that number in several years," said Joe Krushinsky, telethon chairman. "I think last year we were just slightly over $200,000. We had more people in the audience this year than ever before."At the conclusion of the weekend telethon broadcast on cable television from Penn's Peak, Krushinsky said, "I remember when we started this and the number wasn't much over $15,000. We've come a long way."Donations and pledges came in throughout the weekend, including $23,000 from the Zoo Crew in Lansford and $25,100 from the American Cancer Society Chinese auction.Extensive use of social media like Facebook, Twitter and video online streaming of the telethon connected the program to people throughout the country.A map was posted on the wall and volunteers colored in states where pledges came from. In all, the telethon drew at least one pledge from about two dozen states."We owe the success of this program to the viewers who pledge," Krushinsky said.He added that participation from schools is a vibrant part of the telethon that began in a studio in Tamaqua Area High School in 1980.Krushinsky was a senior in Tamaqua that year. George Taylor, telethon talent coordinator and producer, was a faculty member.This year, local schools led the fundraising efforts with significant check presentations coming from students from CCTI, Tamaqua, Jim Thorpe, Lehighton, Panther Valley and Marian high schools.Courage awardsCourage awards are presented to people who, along with their families, are directly facing cancer in their lives right now, and are willing to allow their story to be shared publicly so that others can be inspired and informed by their experience.Bryan Miller, one of three courage award winners Sunday, felt fortunate to be able to make it to the telethon.Released Friday after a three-day stay in Lehigh Valley Hospital, Miller credited his faith, family and friends with helping him get through a rough stretch."I believe that if God brings us to it, he'll see us through it," Bryan said. "We've just been taking it one step at a time."Around Christmas, Miller got a cold that didn't go away, prompting him to see his family doctor.After blood work and further testing, he was diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the duodenum, or small bowel, in January."At first, it was kind of natural to push people away, but the blessings my family and I have received have been wonderful," Bryan added. "My church family has given us meals and endless support."To the surprise of telethon volunteers, Bryan and his family donated $1,000 to the American Cancer Society."It's in honor of my mother and grandparents, who passed away from cancer, and my family members who have beaten cancer," he said.His wife, Sharon, and daughters Katie, Makenna and Sarah joined him Sunday.Her battle with cancer has shown Donna Sharbaugh just how much fight she has in her.The Lehighton resident was diagnosed in the summer of 2000 with colon cancer.Though the disease has most recently spread to her left lung, Sharbaugh was in good spirits Sunday as she accepted her courage award sitting next to her husband, John."He has supported me in everything except the laundry," Donna joked.The doctors told Sharbaugh that colon cancer is slow developing and she likely had it for years before it was noticed."One of my goals is to make people aware to get early colonoscopies," she said. "Early detection is key in fighting this disease."Karen Campomizzi had a surprise when she came to the Cancer Telethon to receive her courage award.The Handbell Choir of St. John's Church in Tamaqua, which Campomizzi usually directs, played a special song in her honor, "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing." The choir brought in extras in salute to their leader.Fighting back tears from the stage, Campomizzi rushed out to thank her fellow musicians and told them she'd be back next year.Flanked by her family, she talked about her journey with a rare form of breast cancer."It was a shock," she said. "I directed the bell choir at the cancer telethon for 13 years. I never realized what was happening (with the patients) until now."Campomizzi was diagnosed in May and began chemotherapy in August. A pre-calculus teacher at Tamaqua, she thanked her students and co-workers for their support.They decorated bulletin boards in her honor and helped with cards, meals and gift cards."We were very blessed with everybody's help and prayers," her husband, John, said.The American Cancer Society also played a role, first with help from the hotline.When she had questions about her insurance, an ACS representative in Texas helped her, setting up a three-way call with her insurance company until all her questions were answered.Through the "Look Good, Feel Better" program she received help with skin care and a wig.