Relay for Life kicks off with a celebration

This year’s Relay for Life got off to a big start with their annual kick-off meeting at Superior Elementary Wednesday evening to get the community excited about the annual fund raiser for the American Cancer Society.

“I think it’s important for everyone that can be to get involved with Relay for Life,” said organizer Michelle Parkin.

Interested community members dropped by the Superior Elementary School Gymnasium to pick up information about starting a Relay for Life team and exactly what the Relay for Life fund raiser does for cancer victims.

Each year, Mineral County community members join a nationwide movement that raises money for the American Cancer Society through donations, raffles and fund raisers.

Community members form teams and spend an entire evening with at least one team member walking laps to raise money.

This year’s Relay for Life will be held at Superior High School from 6 p.m. on July 10 to 7 a.m. on July 11.

Parkin said that they hold the event over and entire evening because “cancer doesn’t sleep.”

This year the theme for the Relay for Life is “Back to the Future” and Parkin said that they hope to bring in as many teams and as much money as they possibly can.

“The more hands there are to help the lighter the load will be for everyone,” Parkin said.

Last year there were seven teams participating in the event and through their team fundraising alone they brought in $9,649.95 for the cause. Each team member is encouraged to try to raise $100 for the event.

Teams consist of between 5 and 10 people, and conduct fund raising efforts in the community between now and the Relay for Life. Through the Relay for Life Foundation, top fund raisers can receive prizes and awards for their efforts.

The event is open to groups of all ages and back grounds, and the Relay for Life Committee for Mineral County can help teams come up with fund raising ideas.

“My kids just love it. It gives them an opportunity to be a part of the community and it makes this issue very real for them,” Parkin said.

This year the Mineral County Relay for Life hopes to bring in 12 teams, although Parkin said they hope for more and will take as many as are interested.

“We would never put a cap on this,” Parkin said.

McKenzie Stager, a Superior middle school student who is starting a Relay for Life team with some of her friends said that she is excited for the chance to make a difference.

“We’re all really concerned about this and we want to do whatever we can to help out,” Stager said.

To help teams raise money there will be a “Lunch on the Lot” event this summer at which all teams will have booths, games and fundraising efforts. The date has yet to be set for the Lunch on the Lot event.

Last year the Relay for Life brought in $18,293.45 through team fundraising, corporate and private donations, a silent auction and the Relay Store.

“It made a big impression on me and I think the ACS does a fabulous job with what they offer to people,” Parkin said about the event.

The ACS uses money to fund cancer research, education and advocacy. The volunteer based organization depends greatly on the funds brought in by the Relay for Life fundraisers held in different communities throughout the year.

On top of raising money for the ACS, the Relay for Life is an opportunity for the community to acknowledge and support community members who have been affected by cancer. Cancer survivors traditionally take the first lap during the relay, and many of the activities that go on at the event are designed to honor those that have fallen to cancer.

“I think there is a huge population of people dealing with cancer in Mineral County that people don’t even realize is out there,” Parkin said.

A special event that takes place during the relay is the placement of luminaries in memory of loved ones lost to cancer or those fighting the disease around the track and the reading of a prayer in their honor.

During the event there are also games, raffles music and other ways to keep entertained during the long event.

“It’s a great community event and you don’t realize how much fun you’re going to have until you’re there,” said organizer Terri Baryclay. “There’s a positive energy there and it doesn’t matter what walk of life you’re from, everyone is welcome and everyone is going to have a great time.”

For more information about forming a team, volunteering time for the relay or other questions please contact Barclay at 822-3490. To donate items to the silent auction that takes place at the relay, contact Kathie Milender at 822-3233.