SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Bargain shopper and Spanish Fort resident Hayley Reynolds knows a good deal when she sees one, and that’s why she postponed her back-to-school shopping July 25 at the Eastern Shore Centre long enough to scour the Relay Rummage Sale in the Dillard’s parking lot.

“I walked away with some real finds—and several things I didn’t really need—but how can you pass up something like that when you know it could save someone’s life?” said Reynolds.

Indeed, Reynolds’ contribution helped the Baldwin County chapter of the American Cancer Society raise $1,300 of the more than $15,000 raised statewide that day toward Relay for Life and ongoing cancer research.

“I’m stretched too thin to really get involved the way I should with a lot of causes, so this makes me feel like I’ve done something to help,” Reynolds said.

Kim Bertagnolli, Baldwin County’s community representative for the national society, said the event was designed to boost awareness and contributions during a traditional lull in the fundraising calendar. With the local group’s annual gala and Making Strides Against Breast Cancer events almost three months off, the half-day yard sale was a way to reach a broader audience and promote the cause.

“I am truly amazed at the spirit of giving we witnessed even with the economy in the shape it’s in,” Bertagnolli said. “We expected the numbers to be down compared to past events, but spirits were high, and it was so encouraging to see people giving what they can for the effort.”

Year-to-date, Baldwin County has raised approximately $354,000, representing five Relay for Life events and one gala. The total leaves the organization $135,000 below its $489,000 goal for 2009. But Bertagnolli said the event definitely boosted morale.

“Most of the (rummage) sales organized across the state were located strategically along (Interstate) 65, but we wanted to get in on this, too, and do our part,” she said. And with the Dauphin Way Baptist Church location in Mobile garnering about $2,000 in proceeds, Bertagnolli said southwest Alabama definitely did its part.

It certainly didn’t hurt that the organization’s landlord in Fairhope provided 1,200 square feet of storage space at Enviro Storage Systems to help prepare for the event.

“It was just a wonderful event that allowed us to let people know about the American Cancer Society and the services we offer,” she said, noting several cancer patients shared their stories, lending a personal touch.

Robyn Carter, who lost her mother to lung cancer in 2001 and an aunt to breast cancer one year later, said cancer services along the Eastern Shore have improved significantly—especially for family members of patients—since her brushes with the disease, but she won’t be happy until a cure is found so no one else ever has to endure the pain she remembers.

“Medical science is catching up, but we’ve got to stay a step ahead,” said Carter, who is a nurse and self-avowed cancer research advocate.

“It’s almost impossible to find anybody whose life hasn’t been touched by cancer in some way, and you’re seeing more and more cases where people like me lose more than one loved one or friend. It has to stop,” she said.

And with a full calendar on tap for the latter portion of the fall, Bertagnolli said local residents will have ample opportunity to become involved.

Baldwin County and Mobile will partner on Oct. 24 to host a joint walk, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, followed one week later by the annual gala, the Baldwin Barons Ball, on Oct. 31.

For more information, visit www.acs.org.