Teams still sought for Oct. 15 Relay For Life
So far, just five teams have signed up for this year’s Jackson County Relay For Life, which is scheduled for Saturday evening, Oct. 15, inside Jackson Heights High School at the gym.
A total of $2,957 has been raised so far by team members for the annual event, which is being shortened this year.
The event will kick off with an invitation-only dinner for cancer survivors and caregivers from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the commons area of the high school. Those attending the dinner are asked to arrive at 4:45 p.m. to register for the event.
The dinner will feature a special speaker, who will discuss the importance of detecting cancer early.
Members of Relay For Life walking teams should arrive at the school at 6:30 p.m.
At 7 p.m., an opening ceremony for the walk will be held starting with a survivor/caregiver victory lap.
The walk, which will still be a relay for area teams and individuals, is being held around the school’s gymnasium.
The luminaries will be lit at 8 p.m., and the names of those being honored with be read aloud. Event organizers have used battery-powered candles for the event for several years, it was noted.
Luminaries can be purchased in honor of or in memory of those with cancer for $10 a piece. They must be purchased in advance by contacting Carol Buehler at 785-364-4679 or 785-364-6001, Janice Schweigen at 785-986-6653 or Cecilia Ray at 785-364-7673.
A closing ceremony will be held near 9 p.m. No silent auction is being planned.
Teams can still register for the event online at www.RelayForLife.org/JacksonCoKs
This will be the 23rd annual relay organized in Jackson County, and proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer Society.
Previous county relays have raised between $25,000 to $37,000 in total donations.
This year’s relay was originally scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 6, but due to a lack of volunteers, it was pushed back until October.
According to the American Cancer Society, funds raised during the annual Relay For Life are used for:
* Research – For more than 65 years, the American Cancer Society has been finding answers that save lives - from changes in lifestyle to new approaches in therapies to improving cancer patients' quality of life. No single nongovernmental, not-for-profit organization in the United State has invested more than the ACS to find the causes and cures of cancer, it was reported.
* Hope Lodge – Where to stay and how to afford accommodations are immediate concerns for cancer patients who must travel away from home for the best treatment. American Cancer Society Hope Lodge facilities provide a free and comfortable place for patients and their caregivers to stay so they can focus on getting well.
Currently, there are more than 30 Hope Lodge locations throughout the United States. Accommodations and eligibility requirements may vary by location.
* Road To Recovery Program – This program matches cancer patients with specially trained volunteer drivers.
* Look Good…Feel Better – This free service teaches women battling cancer beauty techniques to help them improve their appearance and self-image during chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Volunteer beauty professionals demonstrate makeup techniques, nail care, skin care and options related to hair loss.
* Reach To Recovery – This support program matches specially trained breast cancer survivors with people who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and want to talk to someone who has been there. These dedicated volunteers offer understanding, support and hope.
