Dallas County Relay for Life set for Friday, April 19
Published 8:02 pm Thursday, January 24, 2013
Cancer survivors kick off the 2012 Dallas County Relay for Life last April at Selma’s Memorial Stadium. The 2013 event is scheduled for April 19, 2013. Relay for Life teams are already being formed and raising money to help battle cancer. --file photo
Residents are preparing for one of the American Cancer Society’s largest annual fundraisers — Relay for Life. This year Relay for Life will be held at Memorial Stadium on Friday, April 19. The event will kick off at 6 p.m. with a survivors’ lap.
“This is a night where the community comes together in a commitment to raise funds to find a cure for cancer,” said Bridget Mills, community representative for the American Cancer Society. “Local businesses, non-profit organizations, schools and even families form teams and they raise funds.”
Typically, Mills said a team consists of 10 people who each raise $100. Teams will then camp out at Memorial Stadium and celebrate cancer survivors while also raising money for a cure.
At 9 p.m., Mills said a special event will be held to honor all those affected by cancer.
“That’s when all the lights are turned off and the luminaries are lit and there’s a moment of silence when all those participating are encouraged to go on the track and walk,” Mills said. “That walk represents the fact that cancer never sleeps, so neither will we.”
Different activities will be held throughout the night including a moonwalk for children, live entertainment and fun games for all ages, Mills said.
Lanterns will also be released during the night to honor anyone who has lost the battle, or is battling cancer.
“Last year we released the sky lanterns and this was received very, very well,” Mills said. “There wasn’t a dry eye, so we plan on doing that again.”
Also, for every $100 raised, Mills said team members will receive a free t-shirt.
“Part of the fun is that there’s a lot of friendly competition that goes on between the teams,” Mills said. “We give away trophies that night for the top fundraising team.”
As of now, Mills said more teams and sponsors are needed to make this year’s Relay for Life a success.
If businesses want to become a sponsor, they can donate anywhere from $260 to $2,000. If they donate $500 or more, their name will appear on the back of the Relay for Life t-shirt.
“It really is a great cause and it’s always a lot of fun,” Mills said. “We’ve already had 20 teams sign up and commit to participate.”
