Relay for Life event set tonight
Annual happening raises funds to help fight cancer
By Johna Strickland
Argus Observer
Friday, June 13, 2008 10:30 AM PDT
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| In this 2007 photo, cancer survivors complete the first lap of Relay for Life led by a color guard. This year’s event starts at 6 p.m. today on the Ontario High School track. Forty-five teams will walk until 7 a.m. to raise money for the American Cancer Society. |
ONTARIO — Guided by white lunch bags bearing candles, they will walk through the night into Saturday morning. Mile after mile, each step bringing them closer to the end of cancer. They are the 45 teams of the 11th annual Ontario Relay for Life.
The adventure begins at 6 p.m. at the Ontario High School track with an opening ceremony, event chair Sarah Bradbury said. Cancer survivor Debbie Knighten will speak, then attending cancer survivors will be called from the stands and given medals to commemorate their battles. About 60 survivors will lead the first lap around the track, a victory lap.
Those who have cared for cancer patients will set out from the opposite end of the track to meet the survivors partway and walk with them to the finish line. At dusk, dozens of white lunch-bag luminaria decorated in honor or memory of someone afflicted by cancer will be lighted and burn all night.
This year 45 teams with an average of 12 members will take part, Bradbury said, more than double last year’s count. Teams will rotate members to walk from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Saturday. The Fit For Life health club team plans to run each lap.
“The idea with Relay for Life is that every team has someone on the track at all times because cancer never sleeps,” Bradbury said. “It’s just a chance for those of us in the community to come together and cheer them on.”
As of Thursday, the teams had already raised $37,500 for the American Cancer Society. Last year’s event garnered $25,000. Bradbury said the 18-member planning committee hopes to reach $60,000.
“It’s been so amazing to see the community getting aboard, and it’s because everyone is affected by cancer. Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” Bradbury said, adding statistics show one in two men and one in three women will face cancer during their lives.
Community support has increased this year because of word of mouth and promotion, Bradbury said. She cited the kickoff dinner in March as an example. In past years, 25 people would attend, but this year, Sizzler provided the food and 100 people attended. The event offers an opportunity to help out community members.
“This is a way for the community to support one another through the experience personally, and it helps them know they’re not alone,” Bradbury said. “Teams can show up Friday and we would love that. Our goal is just to get as many people as possible involved. People can come even if they’re not on a team, and we would really love it they could bring some cash to spend at the event. Everything they spend goes to the American Cancer Society.”
Chances to drop some money include an obstacle course by Mountain State Tumor Institute, a raffle for a Thomas Kinkade painting, the Treasure Valley’s largest outdoor exercise class organized by Fit For Life and the Mr. Relay contest at 4 a.m. In the search for Mr. Relay, committee members received donations of purple items from local secondhand clothing stores.
For more information and to register a team or survivor, call Bradbury, (208) 740-0370.
