Relay for Life to raise money for cancer research
Staff Writer
On Friday and Saturday, June 4-5, the Caribou High School outdoor track will be the site of the Aroostook County “Relay for Life” cancer walk, sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The weekend event will spawn an large number of teams and individuals, all walking to raise funds for the organization.
On Monday night May 10, during the regular Caribou City Council meeting, Miles “Rick” Williams, a member of the Relay for Life steering committee provided an informational video and spoke on the progress of this event and featured highlights that will take place during the weekend-long fund-raiser.
According to the film shown during William’s presentation, the initial Relay for Life walk was in 1985 and raised $100,000 through the hope of some and strength of others.
To date the Relay for Life event has raised an estimated $3 billion for the American Cancer Society. The event is held in more than 5,000 communities and in more than 20 countries world-wide.
According to Williams in 2008 the Aroostook County Relay for Life consisted of 13 teams and raised $26,000; in 2009 the event saw 26 teams participate raising $42,000. “As of 4 p.m. this afternoon,” said Williams, “We have 54 teams with 579 individuals registered to participate in the ‘Relay for Life’ walk — but this won’t be the total number, as many of these people will bring others with them, we expect an estimated 1,200 to 1,300 participants not including support staff. This year’s Relay goal is to raise $60,000, at this time the total is at $33,809.13.”
Featured events include a free barbevue at 5 p.m., provided by TAMC; the Survivor Lap at 6 p.m; with the main lap occurring at 7 p.m., and the Luminary ceremony during which it is hoped that 1,600 bags each containing a candle will be lit encompassing the entire one-quarter-mile track. (Luminary bags may be purchased in the name of a cancer victim or survivor for $10 and are available from Williams or other committee members.
Cary Medical Center will host a Survivors’ Breakfast Celebration on Saturday. Other community organizations that will participate during the weekend events include the Loring Job Corps Color Guard, the National Guard and CERT teams.
Williams stated, “This is an event for families, there will be games for kids and as many as 54 booths manned by volunteers, including food booths (no commercial vendors) all helping to raise money for this cause.”
From the smallest high school track to the largest state in the country this event will see individuals, “fighting back” against the disease that will, on an average, affect one out of every two people — one out of these two people will experience cancer either directly or through a family member or friend.
The “Relay for Life” event and the American Cancer Society are the official sponsors of birthdays — Be a part of it and help fight back.
