Relay for Life kick-off slated
The 12th annual American Cancer Society Sanders County Relay For Life will be held at the Sanders County Fairgrounds in Plains the first weekend in August. Each year the planning committee sets goals for the approaching Relay. For 2011, the committee hopes to raise $40,000, register 30 teams, have 75 survivors walking the opening lap, and sell 1,000 luminaries to honor those diagnosed with cancer.
The Sanders County Relay for Life tents will be decorated with the “Seasons of Hope” theme, which includes the four seasons and holidays throughout the year. Currently the Sanders County relay has raised $435 and has 13 participants.
According to Megan Beason, chair for the Sanders County Relay For Life, these goals should be easily achieved, if not exceeded. To encourage participation and to continue the momentum from last year, the Relay planning committee has scheduled a kick-off rally for Sunday, February 27, from 2-4 p.m., at the Plains Senior Citizens’ Center. There will be finger foods and beverages, plus a wealth of information for those new to Relay as well as for those wanting to know more about different types of cancers and ways to reduce their risk of the disease.
The kick-off on Saturday in Plains, will be an opportunity for event fundraising, team sign-ups, along with guest speakers, said Annie Wooden, a marketing coordinator for the Relay for Life.
“We’re encouraging people to organize their teams now, instead of waiting until spring or summer. The goal of the kick-off is to boost awareness and get people excited for the relay. If teams can raise their money early, the kick-off will make it more than just a two day event,” said Wooden.
The kick-off rally will also be a great time to sign up a team and get ideas for fundraising. In addition, there will be a table set up for those who wish to purchase luminaries. Beason explains that at one meeting, after a discussion of how important those who provide care to cancer patients are, the planning committee decided to offer the option of purchasing a luminaria in honor of an individual who has been a caregiver to a cancer patient. The caregiver luminaria will be different than those purchased for cancer patients so that both will be easy to recognize. Both types of luminaria will be priced the same: $10 for the first and $5 for each additional luminaria.
To learn more about the kick-off rally or this year’s American Cancer Society Sanders County Relay For Life, contact Megan Beason at 826-3181, or go to the Relay’s website at www.sanderscountyrelay.org.