This disease visits untold sufferings on the afflicted and on loved ones — and one in three people will be diagnosed with it during their lifetime.
At its root, some leading researchers say, are toxins, dietary imbalances and chronic infections.
Some of the brightest minds of the age are working hard to whip it. But money is needed to lay cancer in the dust.
Next Friday and Saturday, May 15-16, the American Cancer Society’s Auburn Relay for Life fundraiser returns to Auburn’s Memorial Stadium, inviting teams of people to camp out on the field and take turns walking or running the track all night and into the next morning.
Whatever the weather, they’ll be out there, fighting the good fight and raising awareness about cancer prevention and treatment.
Auburn co-chair J.D. Drollinger said that as of last Friday, 56 teams had formed for the Auburn Relay. By the big day, he expects 60, two more than last year.
Organizers hope to raise $140,000. As of last Friday, $47,192 had been posted on line.
Registration is going strong.
“Already, 676 participants have registered online and that’s huge,” Drollinger said. “In years past at this time, we would have about 300 participants.”
Drollinger said the goal for the sponsorships was $15,000, and as of Friday organizers had raised $16,000 in cash sponsorships and another $16,000 in kind.
But even for this good work, there is the economy.
“Across the board, sponsorship giving is down, but individual giving has been up,” Drollinger said.
One of the ways organizers hope to counteract the trend is to field more teams, more people, more participants. The more people show up, the more money is raised.
The opening ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Friday with the posting of the colors followed by the singing of the National Anthem and the survivors and caregivers’ laps. The official relay begins at 7 p.m., followed by a moving luminaria ceremony at 10 when people write the name of loved one on a luminaria bag and join it to hundreds of others lining the track. Following the ceremony, candles inside the bags are lit in support of those battling cancer, in honor of those who have fought the battle and won, and in loving memory of those who lost their battle. The candles will remain lit throughout the night.
On Friday night, the Auburn Youth Council will light the bags to spell HOPE, which will then turn into CURE.
This year’s event, built around a 1950s theme, is “Walk around the clock.” Events will be tailored to “Grease,” “American Graffiti,” and “Happy Days.” At midnight “Grease” will be shown on a giant screen brought in for the purpose, and Sandy and Danny, stars of the aforementioned musical, will sing songs written especially for the Relay. The Mr. Relay Contest has been moved to Saturday morning.
A silent auction ends at 10 a.m. on Saturday for the Colon Cancer Free Zone.
The Relay ends at noon Saturday.
“The people getting the cancer treatments can’t get up and go home when they’re tired. We’re hoping to have the same number for closing ceremonies as for opening ceremonies. And we have a lot of special laps all based around things that happened in the 50s,” Drollinger said.
The money raised goes for patient services. It saves lives by funding cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts and life-affirming patient services. But the Relay also is about mission awareness, getting the word out about cancer prevention and how people can take care of themselves so they don’t get cancer in the first place.
“We have made big strides,” Drollinger said. “This year is our 25th anniversary Relay for Life. Twenty-five years ago the founder, Dr. Gordy Klatt, walked around the track at Stadium High School for 24 hours.”
Organizers don’t required that a specified amount of money be raised to take part in Relay For Life. The American Cancer Society’s recommendation is that each participant sets a personal goal to raise $100. But no doubt about it, the more the merrier. The only requirement to participate is the $10 registration/commitment fee (per person) that is due upon registration. After that, anything people can raise through individual, team, or online fundraising is accepted.
Nationally, the overnight event brings together more than 3.5 million people. To participate, form a team, or dedicate a luminaria, call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
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RELAY FOR LIFE
What:
When: 6 p.m.. Friday, May 15, to 12 p.m., Saturday, May 16
Where: Auburn Memorial Stadium, 801 4th St. N.E.
Theme: Walk around the clock
