Relay for Life is July 30 years ago
A celebration of survival and remembering those who have died are the focuses of the annual Relay for Life fund-raiser.
Relay for Life of Marion County will be held from 7 p.m. July 30 to 7 a.m. July 31 at Warrior Stadium, Marion.
Jan Helmer, Marion chairman, said teams of eight to 15 can be formed to raise funds through pledges for the American Cancer Society.
Helmer said in 2003, there were 16 teams totaling 160 people, and the event raised $15,700.
"We hope to exceed that amount this year," Helmer said.
Throughout the 12-hour period, team members take turns in walking laps. Pledges may be a set amount for the event or a specific amount per walked lap.
Luminaries, paper bags with a sand base and lighted candles, can be purchased for $10 each prior to July 30 or that evening, and will be placed around the track.
The luminaries will honor a survivor or a victim of cancer from Marion County or with ties to the county.
The relay will begin with a "victory" lap for cancer survivors. The second lap will be for those who have lost a loved one to cancer.
At 10 p.m., the reading of the names from the luminaries will begin.
Pizza will be served at midnight with drawings throughout the night.
T-shirts will be given to participants who raise $100 or more.
The public is welcome to come and support walkers.
Anyone interested in sponsoring a team, signing up a team, making a donation, or purchasing a luminary, should contact Helmer at 620-382-2104 (daytime) or 620-382-2588 (evenings and weekends).
All funds go to the American Cancer Society with some proceeds benefiting Marion County.
