Freeborn County ranked eighth in the nation in 2011 for the amount of money raised per capita for its Relay for Life fundraiser, according to local event officials.

Freeborn County Relay for Life chairwoman Vicki Manges and team chairwoman Kim Thomas last month attended a Relay for Life Summit for the Midwest division where they found out the county’s national ranking.

Manges said with more than 5,000 different relays across the country in 2011, it was an honor to be ranked eighth.

“It shows how dedicated our community is to helping people who are suffering with cancer and wanting to find a cure,” Manges said. “These are people who are showing hope for their loved ones.”

The ranking comes from dividing the amount of money earned in the county by the number of people who live here. That number came out to $5.34 raised per person in Freeborn County.

The Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature event of the year and aims to draw survivors and the community together to raise awareness about cancer and support for research.

All money raised from the event goes toward cancer research, raising awareness of cancer prevention and cancer treatment.

According to Manges, Relay for Life raised $400 million across the country in 2011. More than 3 million people participated in the event.

In Freeborn County alone, the Relay for Life in August raised more than $130,000 in 2011.

The event is held at the Freeborn County Fairgrounds and incorporates people of all ages who have come together for the same cause. Participants take turns walking around a track, surrounded by luminarias dedicated to people who have fought cancer, for 12 hours straight as they share stories.