HAWLEY PA: The Greater Lake Region team of Relay For Life has been busy putting the final touches on this year’s event. On Saturday May 16th at 10am the ribbon will be cut and the more than 120 plus walkers, runners, rollers, strollers and striders will embark on the 24-hour relay. It’s all in an effort to increase awareness, fundraise to support research, education and the many facets of the American Cancer Society as well as for remembrance, to spread hope, and to take a stand!
The day will officially kick off with the opening ceremony at 12:00pm in front of the bleachers on the Wallenpaupack Area High School track. After the welcomes, thank-you’s, remarks and prayers, a lap for cancer survivors and caregivers will segue into a day of activity and joy. Live bands and a DJ will play throughout the day energizing the track and there will be lots of “fun and fit” opportunities. Assorted vendors will wind through the bleacher and team camp site area along with a bounce house, face painting and other fun activities for all ages. The evening will bring the whole day together with a special Survivor/Caregiver Dinner at 6:00pm capped by a very special lap of celebration and hope at 7:30pm and inspirational words from an ACS Voice of Hope. The evening will conclude with a moving and memorable lighting of the luminaria around the track around 8:30pm.
“This day is a celebration of life, of hope, of remembrance and we want our community to come out and be a part of that.” remarked Event Chair, Nancy Vignau. There are many ways to support Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society.
– Show your Support. Come and cheer the walkers and survivors and caregivers during their laps. And it’s not too late to register (go to relayforlife.org/
– Make a Donation. Donations can be taken day of at the relay, or through the Relay For Life Greater Lake Region website.
– Dedicate a Luminaria. In remembrance of a loved one, these bags will create a beautiful glowing display along the track (available from team members or on the website).
“Cancer is scary, roughly two out of five Americans will be diagnosed within their lifetime,” mentions Vignau “but together we can fight the fear, become educated and support one another.” The event will conclude on the track Sunday morning around 9:30am with all participants sure to be exhausted, but feeling accomplished. Through their hard work, their message was heard and they have helped to create a world with more birthdays.
For more information contact Nancy Vignau at GLRrelay@gmail.com, find Greater Lake Region – Relay For Life on Facebook or go to relayforlife.org/
About ACS Relay For Life:
The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is an overnight community celebration where individuals and teams camp out, barbecue, dance, and take turns walking or running around a track “relay” style to raise funds to fight cancer. At nightfall, participants will light hundreds of luminaria candles around the track in a moving ceremony to honor cancer survivors as well as friends and family members lost to the disease. Funds raised support cancer research, education, advocacy, and patient services in the community. This year’s event is May 16-17 @ WAHS.
