Relay for Life Celebrates 25th Anniversary
by Jamie Carter
Archview Relay for Life is hosting the American Cancer Society Relay for Life this Friday, June 26th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. and ending the following morning at 6:30 a.m. Festivities will be held at AC Daugherty Field on the campus of Dupo Community Junior Senior High School. This marks the 25th Anniversary for the relay. Teams from Cahokia, Dupo, East Carondelet and Sauget will be participating in an effort to raise money and awareness for the American Cancer Society.
Relay for Life is much more than just an overnight stroll. It is a celebration and the culmination of all the teams fund raising efforts over the last year. It is also a last chance effort to raise more funds before the teams begin their preparations for next years event. Teams sponsor booths at the relay providing refreshments, crafts and game. There’s even a kids area for the little ones.
The relay itself has some special aspects to it as well. There is an opening and closing ceremony. There are designated laps honoring survivors and caregivers. At around 9:00 p.m. they pause for a very special memorial time in remembrance of not only those who have lost their lives to cancer but to others as well by lighting candles in bags they call luminaries. Anyone can be a part of this by arriving before hand and purchasing a luminaries bag. There are laps designated to symbolize the journey of the cancer patient. And at 2:00 a.m. there is a box car race. Everyone is invited to come and share in this celebration of life.
All proceeds from the Relay for Life go to the American Cancer Society to help aid research and one day find a cure for cancer. At the Relay for Life “They walk all night because the search for the cure for cancer should never rest.”
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