Local towns will join 4,200 other communities across America in a celebration of survivorship and hope at the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. The overnight event is a movement that has swept the nation since its inception in 1985. Relay For Life is the largest grassroots fundraiser in the world and is designed to give everyone an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer. Survivors of all ages will walk around a track in a victory lap and friends will honor loved ones lost to the disease in an evening candlelight vigil. Caregivers will also be honored with a special ceremony and lap in their honor. The overnight event joins teams of 10 to 15 people who camp out at community sites and take turns circling a track or path to raise awareness and funds to support cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services in the community. Relay For Life will take place in Spencerport June 4 and 5 from 6 p.m. to 8 a.m. at the Spencerport School District track. Eleven other sites in western New York will also host relays. Relay For Life opens as cancer survivors walk, run, or otherwise move around the track for the first lap. This is an emotional time and sets the stage for the importance of each participant's contribution. A festive atmosphere always develops around the track area as participants make new friends and spend time with old ones. Highlighting the evening is the luminaria service held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember loved ones lost to cancer. The luminaria candles line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the importance of their contributions. Since the first Relay For Life was held in 1985 in Tacoma, Washington, the event has raised over $1 billion. In 2004, Relay For Life will raise more than $300 million. Call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org for more information. |
