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Cloggers aim to beat cancer -- 99 cents at a time

Members of the Walworth County Cloggers watch themselves closely during practice. The cloggers will have a team participating in the Relay for Life of Walworth County in July, 2011. Walworth County Cloggers photo via Facebook.

ELKHORN -- The Walworth County Cloggers are determined to help cure cancer -- 99 cents at a time.

The Cloggers are one of many teams planning to participate in the Relay for Life of Walworth County, July 22-23 at the Walworth County Fairgrounds.

But they've come up with a novel way of raising the money needed to sponsor their team.

Using social media to promote the efforts, and with a blog dedicated to fundraising, the group is seeking 99 cents from each person who visits the site and clicks the donate button.

Bridget McCarthy of Delavan created the blog, Just99cents.blogspot.com, and the site has raised more than $200 since it was launched Sunday.

Log on here to donate.

Both of McCarthy's daughters also have been involved in clogging for years.

In an e-mail announcing the blog site, Walworth County Cloggers Director Shannon Werfelmann, who also is McCarthy's sister, noted the importance of the relay because of the impact of cancer on several of their members.

Team Captain Heidi Schulz, who Werfelmann calls a "clogging mom," was diagnosed with breast cancer this year, while Michelle Wenzel, an instructor with the group, currently is in remission from leukemia.

Currently, 30 teams are registered to participate in the annual event.

To donate to any of the teams, or to track how much each team has raised, visit the American Cancer Society website at www.relayforlife.org/walworthcountywi

The relay brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, churches - people from all walks of life - to celebrate the lives of those who have had cancer, remember those lost, and fight back against the disease.

Events are held throughout the night as individuals and teams gather with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track at all times. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but some teams also hold creative fundraisers at the Relay.

Many participants who relay have been touched by cancer in some way and desperately want to put an end to the disease.

Not on a team? You may also serve as a volunteer or purchase a luminaria to recognize or remember a loved one for just $10.

For more information contact Darcie Henriott at (262) 903-9274 or e-mail ladyelks@charter.net; Cheri McIntosh (262) 275-6954 cheri.brost@gmail.com; or Dwan Johnson at (262) 523-5559 dwan.johnson@cancer.org

The Walworth County Clogger's Facebook page is HERE.