Relay for Life making strides in the fight against cancer in its 11th year in Chenango County
The 11th annual Chenango County Relay for Life kicks off tonight with live music, games, fun – and an important message. The event not only raises money and awareness for cancer, it also keeps participants entertained from 6 p.m. Friday night until 10 a.m. Saturday morning.
Relay for Life is a fund raising event to benefit the American Cancer Society. According to Denise Woods, Relay for Life event coordinator, as the largest, not-for-profit donor to cancer research, ACS uses the money raised during the relay to put money toward cancer research, patient and family programs, advocacy and health education. Woods explained that many types of cancer can be avoided by making small lifestyle changes. “Sixty percent of cancer cases can be prevented,” Woods said, explaining that by eliminating tobacco and adopting a healthy diet and nutrition regiment, those cases could be avoided.
The Relay for Life will begin on Friday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Leading up to the opening ceremonies, the Sons of Ireland will be performing an array of traditional Irish music, from 4 to 6 p.m. The relay will officially begin at 6 p.m. when the opening ceremonies are held.
Walking will officially begin around 6:15, as cancer survivors take their first lap around the track. “Many survivors look forward to the survivors’ lap. They push through the rough diagnosis, looking forward to the relay,” Woods said, explaining that some cancer sufferers use the relay as a bench mark or a goal, and say they will make it to next year’s survivors’ lap. “It lets them know they’re not alone, and it gives them a sense of hope to see people who are there 5 or 10 or 20 years after their diagnosis,” Woods said.
The survivors’ lap will be followed by the caregivers’ lap, during which time caregivers will join the survivors on the track.
Team captains for each of the Chenango Relay for Life teams will then take a lap.
To keep walkers entertained, Skyline featuring Cassidy Lynn will play a mix of contemporary country music from 7 to 9:30. Also beginning at 7 p.m., representatives from Locks of Love will be on hand to cut and collect hair to make wigs for those who lose their hair during chemotherapy. A minimum length of 10 inches or more is needed. There will be games, including a scavenger hunt, kids crafts and those in attendance can test their throwing accuracy at the dunk tank.
The Luminaria Ceremony will be held at 9:30 p.m. According to the Relay for Life web site, “Luminarias are glowing bags that on first glance appear to be nothing more than paper sacks filled with sand and candles. But upon closer examination, these bags represent people, each with a name and a story to tell.” The luminarias are lit during the ceremony of hope. Luminarias can be purchased in honor of a loved one, and at 9:30 the luminarias will be lit and a moment of silence will take place.
At 11 p.m. there will be an ice cream social, and karaoke will be available from until 1 a.m. Massage therapy will be available from midnight until 2 a.m. Those interested should sign-up at the event and a donation is appreciated. From 1 to 3 a.m. DJ Chris Olds of Royal Entertainment will play music, have dance contests and give away prizes. At 4 a.m. a hula hoop contest will be held. At 5 there will be a tricycle race, and at 6 there will be games that will entertain kids, teens and adults. Becky Franco will lead early morning yoga from 6:15 to 7 a.m. Wake-up musical chairs will be held at 7, and at 9:30 the closing ceremonies will begin.
Last year, the Chenango Relay for Life raised more than $123,000. This year the goal is $130,000.
“The Relay is a fun time, but it’s also there for a reason. We invite the public to join us,” Woods said.
For more information about the Chenango Relay for Life, to purchase a luminaria in honor of a loved one, or to participate in the survivors’ celebration, visit www.acsevents.org/relay/ny/chenango or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS (227) -2345. For general cancer information, go to www.cancer.org.
e-mail: jlewis@evesun.com
Relay for Life is a fund raising event to benefit the American Cancer Society. According to Denise Woods, Relay for Life event coordinator, as the largest, not-for-profit donor to cancer research, ACS uses the money raised during the relay to put money toward cancer research, patient and family programs, advocacy and health education. Woods explained that many types of cancer can be avoided by making small lifestyle changes. “Sixty percent of cancer cases can be prevented,” Woods said, explaining that by eliminating tobacco and adopting a healthy diet and nutrition regiment, those cases could be avoided.
The Relay for Life will begin on Friday at the Chenango County Fairgrounds. Leading up to the opening ceremonies, the Sons of Ireland will be performing an array of traditional Irish music, from 4 to 6 p.m. The relay will officially begin at 6 p.m. when the opening ceremonies are held.
Walking will officially begin around 6:15, as cancer survivors take their first lap around the track. “Many survivors look forward to the survivors’ lap. They push through the rough diagnosis, looking forward to the relay,” Woods said, explaining that some cancer sufferers use the relay as a bench mark or a goal, and say they will make it to next year’s survivors’ lap. “It lets them know they’re not alone, and it gives them a sense of hope to see people who are there 5 or 10 or 20 years after their diagnosis,” Woods said.
The survivors’ lap will be followed by the caregivers’ lap, during which time caregivers will join the survivors on the track.
Team captains for each of the Chenango Relay for Life teams will then take a lap.
To keep walkers entertained, Skyline featuring Cassidy Lynn will play a mix of contemporary country music from 7 to 9:30. Also beginning at 7 p.m., representatives from Locks of Love will be on hand to cut and collect hair to make wigs for those who lose their hair during chemotherapy. A minimum length of 10 inches or more is needed. There will be games, including a scavenger hunt, kids crafts and those in attendance can test their throwing accuracy at the dunk tank.
The Luminaria Ceremony will be held at 9:30 p.m. According to the Relay for Life web site, “Luminarias are glowing bags that on first glance appear to be nothing more than paper sacks filled with sand and candles. But upon closer examination, these bags represent people, each with a name and a story to tell.” The luminarias are lit during the ceremony of hope. Luminarias can be purchased in honor of a loved one, and at 9:30 the luminarias will be lit and a moment of silence will take place.
At 11 p.m. there will be an ice cream social, and karaoke will be available from until 1 a.m. Massage therapy will be available from midnight until 2 a.m. Those interested should sign-up at the event and a donation is appreciated. From 1 to 3 a.m. DJ Chris Olds of Royal Entertainment will play music, have dance contests and give away prizes. At 4 a.m. a hula hoop contest will be held. At 5 there will be a tricycle race, and at 6 there will be games that will entertain kids, teens and adults. Becky Franco will lead early morning yoga from 6:15 to 7 a.m. Wake-up musical chairs will be held at 7, and at 9:30 the closing ceremonies will begin.
Last year, the Chenango Relay for Life raised more than $123,000. This year the goal is $130,000.
“The Relay is a fun time, but it’s also there for a reason. We invite the public to join us,” Woods said.
For more information about the Chenango Relay for Life, to purchase a luminaria in honor of a loved one, or to participate in the survivors’ celebration, visit www.acsevents.org/relay/ny/chenango or call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS (227) -2345. For general cancer information, go to www.cancer.org.
e-mail: jlewis@evesun.com
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