Participants in the Relay For Life of Clarion County are only $7,000 from reaching their $36,000 fundraising goal for this year’s event.
So far, 17 teams have registered for the 12-hour event to be held from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, June 11.
“Our goal is very obtainable, I really believe we can reach it,” said Nikki Carey, community manager for the relay.
The event is open to people of all ages, Carey said. Registration will be open until the day of the event.
“A team can be two people or 200 people. We really want to encourage the community to participate,” Carey said.
A member of each team must be walking on the track at all times throughout the 12 hours.
Others who aren’t part of a registered team at the event also may attend. There is no fee to participate.
All of the teams work to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Some teams do this through financial sponsors who make donations based on the number of laps or miles team members walk. Other teams work all year to raise money through various fundraisers.
The event will feature a survivor’s lap in which people who have survived cancer will be given the opportunity to take a lap around the track in celebration and in honor of their battle.
Caregivers also will be honored with a lap of their own, Carey said.
There will be a luminary ceremony to honor those who have been diagnosed or have lost their battle with cancer.
There also will be grief share support groups for those who have lost loved ones to cancer or know someone who is currently battling the disease.
A concession stand will be available for people to purchase meals, but teams may also take their own food.
A photo booth will be available with souvenir photo strips available at no cost. Also at the event will be a 65-foot-long inflatable obstacle course.
“The event makes for a great day with a great sense of community,” Carey said.
“Sadly, cancer affects all types of people, there’s no social or economic discrimination, so we’d love to have all types of people at the event,” she said.
Businesses in the area will show support by sponsoring purple banners on light posts this month as part of a Paint The Town Purple campaign.
Along with the banners, businesses are encouraged to paint storefront windows purple and decorate their buildings in purple. The participants will then be judged and have a chance to win a trophy, which will be awarded Friday, May 27.
Anyone who wants more information can contact Carey by telephone at (724) 834-9081, Ext. 85289, or by email at nikki.carey@cancer.org.
