About 400 people showed up the day of the event, as well as 20 cancer survivors who were treated as guests of honor.
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Individuals and teams can register at the event starting at 4 p.m. and there is no fee to participate.
Relay for Life celebrates survivors’ victory over cancer and remembers those who lost their battles against the disease.
“We went with cotton candy and popcorn for that carnival feel”, said Lucy Comstock, captain of the Barnyard Buddies team, which will also feature the characters that appear each year at Relay.
American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life started in 1985 after Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Wash., ultimately raising $27,000 to help the organization fight cancer. “People come to the stage and share their stories and it’s very much a community event”.
The ACS uses funds to support cancer patients and their families, to lobby for increased federal research funding and access to care, to teach people about prevention and screenings, and to fund research to find cancer treatments and cures.
The venue change and cramped quarters didn’t bother 16-year cancer survivor Ann Waldrop, who had to help set up Liberty United Methodist Church’s tent twice, once at the football field and again in the gym.
The community at large is being asked to get involved because with your help, the lives of even more people can be touched-those who are now battling cancer, those who may face a diagnosis in the future, and those who may avoid a diagnosis altogether, thanks to the education and early screening efforts of the American Cancer Society through the literature and community work provided.
While that is certainly quite a bit of cash Campos said it’s only a little more than half of what they usually raise. “Of course, it’s for a good cause to raise money to hopefully eradicate cancer one day”, she said.
Since 1996, Relay for Life of Wilson County has raised about $1.6 million for the American Cancer Society.
This year’s local Relay for Life will take place from 9 a.m. May 14 to 9 a.m. May 15 at Splash!
“Relay for Life brings the progress against cancer to the forefront”, said Carolyn King Relay for Life Co-Chair.
Boles said she first found out about the colon cancer when she had a colonoscopy. Her death came as a shock to McKay’s family – her mother, father and sisters. This will be the second year at the fairgrounds and the first time for the new time slot.
“The opening lap is all about celebrating with our survivors and recognising the contribution of carers”, Mr Turner said.
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It’s an honor she doesn’t take lightly – especially when the disease itself is still out there, unsolved, claiming lives through its inscrutable processes.
