Relay for Life is on the right track

Published 11:29 am Thursday, October 2, 2008

Go around in circles, stay up all night, have fun and do it all for a good cause: the American Cancer Society announces the Snoqualmie Valley Relay for Life

Walkers from Snoqualmie, Carnation, Fall City, Preston and North Bend go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Teams of enthusiastic citizens will gather at Centennial Fields in Snoqualmie for an overnight relay against cancer from 3 p.m. on Saturday, June 25, until 9 a.m. on June 26.

Relay for Life is a unique fund-raising event that allows participants from all walks of life – including patients, medical support staff, corporations, civic organizations, churches and community volunteers – to join together to fight cancer. Relay for Life reminds us that progress has been made in the fight against cancer and that everyone who participates is making a difference.

Relay for Life opens as cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) walk or wheelchair 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 at these events. An atmosphere of camaraderie is created with team members entertaining each other, eating, playing games and, of course, walking for a great cause.

Highlighting the evening is the luminaria ceremony held after dark to honor cancer survivors and remember those who have lost the battle against cancer. The luminarias line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.

“Relay for Life is as much an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fund raiser,” said Denise DuBose, event chair. “Many of the participants will be people who have dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made in reducing cancer death rates and in the quality of life following cancer treatment.

“The funds raised will enable us to continue our investment in the fight against cancer through educational programs, research and service to patients,” said DuBose. “Due to the generosity of corporate sponsors like Nintendo, Phillips Oral Health, Wilderness Glass and the Valley Record, the money raised by participants goes directly to the American Cancer Society’s lifesaving programs.”

The Snoqualmie Valley Relay for Life kickoff is a great chance to learn more about the Relay and how to participate. The kickoff will be Jan. 20 at 7 p.m. at the North Bend Senior Center. Alternately, information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay for Life is available from the American Cancer Society at (425) 322-1117 during regular business hours; at (800) ACS-2345, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week; or at www.cancer.org.

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.