Relay for Life set for Friday, Saturday
Relay for Life is about being a community that takes up the fight against cancer. Friday and Saturday marks the 11th annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life in Scott County.
The relay begins at 6 p.m. at the Oneida City Park on Friday and will resume on Saturday at noon.
The Relay for Life is a family-oriented team event that celebrates cancer survivorship, health, teamwork and the community.
Community members are invited to lace up their sneakers and be a member of a Relay for Life team. The effort will raise money for the American Cancer Society and honor the courageous spirit of those battling cancer. Teams made up of schools, churches, businesses, and neighborhood groups come together in friendly competition to see which team can raise the most money and have the most fun. During the event, each team keeps a member on the track at all times, either walking or running in relay shifts.
Cancer survivors are honored guests at the event and are invited to attend a ceremony in their honor and to walk the opening lap on Friday evening.
“The lap symbolizes the courage survivors and their families display and sustain in their lives,””said Mary Fields, the local chair of the event. ‘‘Each participant in the survivorship celebration will receive a medallion and relay T-shirt for joining in the activities.” Fields said.
Activities planned for the evening and next day include music from Cotton Eyed Joe’s in Knoxville, bounce houses, ‘Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader’, karaoke, face painting, children games, adult games, a food court, local bands and the Cancer Smart Shop. Ask questions, talk about your survivor testimony or share in the fellowship with others who are there to support the community and raise awareness about cancer. The American Cancer Society is about hope, progress, and answers.
“One special part of the event is the luminary ceremony that is scheduled for 9 p.m. on Friday evening,” said Fields. “Luminaries lined around the track are lit during a program to remember and honor loved ones touched by cancer.”
Join your family and friends and participate in the Relay for Life at the Oneida City Park on May 9 - 10.