Relay for Life June 9

Relay for Life June 9

Local group gearing up to continue fight against cancer

ralphhardin@gmail.com Relay for Life of Crittenden County is inviting the community to be a part this year’s Relay for Life event. Relay for Life is the premiere fundraiser for the American Cancer Society (ACS) bringing in $400 million nationwide. The local rally will be Saturday, June 9, from 4 to 11 p.m., at Tilden Rodgers Park in West Memphis.

Organizers aim to up local participation this year, encouraging teams to come together to help make the event a success. Those teams will come from the community — businesses, clubs, families and friends, churches, schools and service organizations are putting together their teams of eight or more participants.

During the relay, team members take turns making laps or engaging in fund raising at their group’s booth, which will be decorated according to this year’s theme, “The Magic of Relay — Dream It, Hope It, Cure It.”

The evening will feature ceremonies to honor cancer survivors and caregivers, live music, team contests, games and activities for all ages, and plenty of delicious food. Part of the fundraising includes luminaries. Luminaries provide an opportunity to remember a loved one lost to cancer or honor cancer survivors.

Donations for the luminaries start at $10. It’s done at night because cancer effects people 24 hours a day. Every team will have somebody walking on the track all the time. Each team has a tent and those teams engage in a little friendly competition for fundraising. The schedule of events are:

• Opening Ceremony – 4 p.m.

Time to get started. Organizers will kick off the event by honoring everyone who's been affected by cancer and everyone who has contributed to the success of this year's Relay season.

• Survivor/Caregiver Walk – 4:30 p.m.

Survivors and Caregivers are the heart and soul of Relay For Life events. The walk will honor their strength and courage with every step they take. It doesn't matter if you were diagnosed 10 days ago or 10 years ago, you can walk while everyone gathers together to cheer you on.

• Luminaria Ceremony – 9 p.m.

This ceremony represents everyone touched by cancer with a Luminaria. Each light represents a life — a life taken by cancer, a survivor of cancer, or a support for a person still fighting the disease. It's a powerful demonstration that gives people the opportunity to grieve but also offers comfort and hope.

• Closing Ceremony 10:45 p.m.

The closing ceremony is the time to commit to take action and help lead the fight for a world free from cancer. It's a time to celebrate what has already been accomplished and a time to unify for the work that needs to be done moving forward.

If you’d like to form a team, register a team, become a sponsor, or just learn about other ways to get involved, or for additional

questions or information, call Whitney Goewey

at (901) 725-8624, or email Whitney.Goewey@cancer.o rg. To honor or remember someone with a luminary or to register your team, visit relayforlife.org/crittendenar

online.

By Ralph Hardin