Relay for Life July 9 -10 at Du Quoin High School
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[More than 500 cancer survivors, family, friends and volunteers will join in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Perry County to "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back."
As of Wednesday, the Du Quoin event has raised more than $29,000 toward a goal of $45,000. With another day before the Relay for Life and a deadline in August to get the rest of the donations turned in, income development representative Amy Wisser believes the goal will be met. "$29,000 of our $45,000 goal--not bad at all! Hopefully the weather hold out for us on Friday. Keep those fingers crossed," she said.
The Du Quoin Evening Call's Amanda Hargis was at city hall Wednesday to deliver the $535 donated by residents who bought survivor and memorial ribbons in the newspaper's Cancer Awareness section. The newspaper extends its appreciation to all who purchased ribbons. There were 107 purchased at $5 each.
Relay For Life is an overnight event where teams of local businesses, schools, churches, community groups and families raise funds - prior to and at the event - to fight cancer. Area cancer survivors unite to walk the first lap and are then joined by family, friends and co-workers who helped them through their battle with cancer. A Luminaria Ceremony, held after dark, honors cancer survivors and those who have lost their battle against cancer. In addition, a variety of entertainment, games, great food and other activities will be going on throughout the night.
The Perry County Relay for Life will be held from 6 p.m. on July 9 to 6 a.m. on July 10 at Du Quoin High School Football Field.
Highlights of the event include the opening ceremony/survivors' victory lap at 6:00 p.m., luminaria ceremony at 9:00 p.m. and closing ceremony at 6:00 a.m.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, more than 62,400 Illinois residents will be diagnosed with cancer this year and more than 25,600 will die from the disease.
Hundreds of luminaria will be lit around the track for the Luminaria Ceremony and will continue burning throughout the night to honor cancer survivors, those who lost their battle to the disease and caregivers.
Community teams and individuals, many of whom are cancer survivors, will be camping out and walking or running the track all night long.
In addition to the entertainment on the stage, there are games, fundraising activities, and special "theme laps" going on throughout the evening.