One year after breaking its record for total pledges, the Carbon Tamaqua American Cancer Society did it again in 2017.

The organization's annual telethon ended Sunday with $220,589 raised for cancer research.The mark to beat was $215,949 raised in 2016."We're very grateful for all the support," said Joe Krushinsky, telethon chairman.People filled Penn's Peak on both days to watch the telethon in person."I think we had more people come here to support us live and it really adds energy to the place," Krushinsky said.By 10 p.m. on Sunday, the pledge amount had eclipsed $200,000, checking off one of the goals for Krushinsky and volunteers.Donations and pledges came in throughout the weekend, including $20,000 from the Zoo Crew in Lansford and $31,000 from the American Cancer Society Chinese auction.Two of Tamaqua's volunteer fire companies, East End and American Hose Company, combined with the Notre Dame Club to bring a check for $12,690 from the Chili/Boilo cook-off and other events.Longtime ACS volunteer Kaylee Gilbert donated her hair to Locks of Love for the third time Sunday live on the telethon.In an effort to spread the reach of the telethon, volunteers worked to get a pledge from every state.A map posted online was filled in when someone from a respective state made a pledge.People from over 30 states and five countries contributed a pledge.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.Five people were honored Saturday and Sunday including Patrick Crampsie of Summit Hill; Michael Harleman of Palmerton; Mary Ann Grant of Red Hill and Mary and Danielle Popek of Jim Thorpe.Crampsie, the Panther Valley Boys' Basketball varsity head coach, said a family history of prostate cancer prompted him to get checked in 2016."Early detection was key in my case and things could have been a lot different if I didn't get those PSA levels tested," he said. "I feel extremely fortunate and blessed to have found out about it like I did."Crampsie had surgery and returned to the Panther Valley sidelines midway through last season.Harleman took his battle to a myeloma clinic in Arkansas and, after an intensive program, left with cancer in just 0.01 percent of his bone marrow."I encourage people to stay the course and never surrender," he said Sunday. "We will kick cancer's butt."Surrounded by a swarm of family members and friends, Mary and Danielle Popek felt fortunate to share their moment together Sunday.Mary battled melanoma and later aortic angiosarcoma.In 2015, her daughter Danielle was diagnosed with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia."My biggest thing was to try and keep Danielle positive," Mary said.Meanwhile, Danielle called Mary the "strongest woman she knows and the biggest inspiration in her life."