FPS staff report
February 26, 2008
Even though it's mid-winter, warmer temperatures and signs of spring are around the corner. For the American Cancer Society, spring and summer are seasons of the year when cancer survivors and others throughout Ohio participate in their signature event - Relay For Life.
Relay For Life has a three-fold purpose. First, it raises income so the Society may continue to invest in research, education, advocacy and services for cancer patients. Next, it gives people in communities across the state the chance to come together at one location for fun, food, entertainment and camaraderie. But, the most important reason for Relay For Life is to give cancer survivors the chance to join together to celebrate life.
This year in the 13 counties that cover Northeast Ohio there are 49 Relays.
"This region of Ohio remains the top area in the state for total income raised and the number of cancer survivors who participate," said Al Stabilito, Public Relations Director of the Northeast Ohio American Cancer Society. "Volunteers in each county are the primary reason for this success. They not only help to get survivors to attend, but they work year round recruiting teams to participate. Relay For Life would not be possible without the support of passionate volunteers."
Relay For Life is a non-competitive event. It's not about winning a race or running laps until you're exhausted. It's about cancer survivors who beat cancer. It's about people who want to continue to make steps to stop this dreaded disease in its tracks.
Teams consist of 10 to 15 people. One or two individuals from each team are assigned a time to walk or run around a track or designated area. Others on the team stay back and relax at their tent site or take part in one of the activities planned by the committee.
While the common theme at all the Relays is survivors, each Relay has a personality of its own. The committees not only recruit teams to participate, but they schedule entertainment, survivor activities, a special luminary service to remember those who died from cancer and to honor survivors, contests, games and other unique activities.
"A number of teams put a great deal of time and energy into their menu selections," Stabilito said. "Because there is a large variety of food, you can't try everything. You definitely won't go away hungry."
For more information about Relay For Life, call the American Cancer Society toll free at 1-888-227-6446. The website is www.cancer.org.
The 2008 American Cancer Society's Relay For Life dates are:
Carroll County: June 20 & 21 Carroll County Fairgrounds
Harrison County: June 14 & 15 - Dr. James Z. Scott Field
Jefferson County: June 20 & 21 - Steubenville - Indian Creek High, Robert Kettlewell Memorial Stadium
Stark County: July 11 & 12 - Minerva - Bicentenial ark
Tuscarawas County: June 6 & 7 - Dover Crater Stadium and June 21 & 22 - Newcomerstown - Newcomerstown High School, Lee Stadium. |
