Relay For Life of Perry County Brings Community Together to Help Save Lives, Create More Birthdays
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Relay For Life is no ordinary event; it is a unique, personal experience, where the community joins with the American Cancer Society to help create a world where lives are saved and more birthdays are celebrated. On Friday, July 8 at the Perry County Fairgrounds, Relay For Life of Perry County will bring the community together to celebrate the lives of those who have cancer, remember loved ones lost to the disease, honor caregivers and fight back against a disease that takes too much.
"No one should fight cancer alone." said Amy Rohrer, the Relay For Life of Perry County ACS Staff Partner. "Relay For Life is a great rallying point for survivors and caregivers alike. Everyone's reason for raising funds and walking the track is personal and unique. But we all have one thing in common: cancer has touched our lives. Relay brings us all together to fight back with hope and help."
At the Relay For Life of Perry County, teams from area families, schools, community groups and businesses can still sign up to participate in this overnight, life-affirming experience to share hope with cancer survivors, caregivers and other supporters in the fight to eliminate cancer.
"So many people have been touched by cancer. The money we raise through Relay helps the American Cancer Society support the needs of cancer patients and their families year-round. Help is always just a phone call away."
Relay For Life of Perry County, which is open to the public, begins at 6:00pm on Friday, June 17 at the Perry County Fairgrounds. Community member are encouraged to stop by and enjoy the food, games, music and special activities going on throughout the evening.
"Relay For Life is a family tradition," said Randie Skorch, Publicity Chair. "It's a kid's dream to stay up all night and participate in all of the games and activities. But most importantly, it teaches them about making a difference. Together, we are raising money and awareness in the fight against cancer. Relay helps us move closer to a cure through research, but also empowers and motivates us to stay well, get well and fight back."
Relay For Life starts with the Opening Ceremony at 6:00 p.m. Local cancer survivors will unite to walk the first lap, the Survivors Lap, which kicks off the event. Cheered on as they travel around the track, many will also be joined by the caregivers who helped see them through their cancer journey.
A Luminaria Ceremony will be held after dark to honor cancer survivors and caregivers, and remember those who have lost their battle against cancer. Luminaria will line the track and glow throughout the night lighting the path and illuminating the names of those being honored. Luminaria will be available for purchase at the event until 8:30 p.m.
The goal of this year's Relay For Life of Perry County is $45,000. Funds raised through Relay provide day-to-day and emotional support services for area patients and their families, cancer research, community educational programs and advocacy initiatives.
If you would like more information about Relay For Life of Perry County, contact the American Cancer Society at (618) 998-9898, option 3 or visit www.relayforlifeofperrycounty.com.
2011 EVENT SCHEDULE
6:00 p.m. - Opening Ceremonies
1. National Anthem
2. Prayer
3. Survivor Lap
4. Caregiver Lap
5. Announcement of Teams
6:30 p.m. - Chris Richards performance
7:30 p.m. - Zumba Demonstration/Fight Back Ceremony
8:00 p.m. - Hamilton County Pickers performance
9:00 p.m. - Luminaria Ceremony
10:00 p.m. - Scavenger Hunt
11:00 p.m. - Frozen T-Shirt Contest
12:00 a.m. - Newspaper Fashion Show
1:00 a.m. - Minute to Win It Game #1
2:00 a.m. - Dance Hour (Electric Slide, Cha Cha Slide, Macarena, Hokey Pokey, Chicken Dance, Cupid Shuffle, etc.)
3:00 a.m. - Minute to Win It Game #2
4:00 a.m. - Rock/Paper/Scissors Contest
5:00 a.m. - Clean Up Laps
6:00 a.m. - Closing Ceremonies