JACKSON – Twice is just as nice.

On Friday and Saturday, the second annual Northampton Relay for Life was held at the Cultural and Wellness Center.

On Saturday, organizers announced Northampton Relay has raised $45,576.46, approximately $10,000 short of the $55,000 goal.

Northampton Relay Chair Laquitta Green-Cooper said last year’s event was trial and error for the coordinators, allowing them to iron out the wrinkles for the 2013 Relay.

“I felt it went smoothly, over all it was positive and I feel it went as well as last year,” she said.

This year’s Northampton Relay had 25 teams and 639 participants.

The event began with a Survivors’ Lap followed by the Caregivers’ Lap and the Team Lap.

Relay for Life raises money for the American Cancer Society for research, programs and services the organization provides.

Cooper said even though the event has not made goal yet the fundraising effort will continue until August. She added what has been raised is a good effort on the county and the community’s part.

“If you add what we raised last year and this year it comes close to $100,000 that we have raised for the American Cancer Society,” she said. “That’s really good for a little rural county.”

She said coordinators will be seeking out more corporate sponsors for 2014 in hopes of getting participation in payroll donation.

Cooper said Northampton Relay will have a wrap up party in July and schedule a date for 2014’s kick off.