The Emery County Chapter of the American Cancer Society will participate in the annual Relay for Life event on July 12 and 13 at the Emery High Track in Castle Dale.
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service.
Local Chapter President Cathy Sitterud said, “We are excited about our event. Our theme this year is, “United We Stand.” We have many fun activities planned. It will all begin on Friday afternoon around 4 p.m. when teams will begin to gather and set up. At 5 p.m. we will have a Survivors Social. Our Survivors are very important to us, because that’s what we are all about. Letting people know you can survive this disease. At 6 p.m. we will have a welcome and opening ceremony. The survivor’s lap will begin at 6:15 p.m. This is where all of the survivors walk a lap around the track. At 6:30 p.m. we will have our speakers. This year we will have State Senator Mike Dmitrich, Sherry King, Oncologist RN from Castle View Hospital and Judi Bishop, survivor.
“We will have the parade of teams at 7 p.m. and the relay begins. Dinner will be served at 7:30 p.m. The walking will continue and the Luminary Ceremony will begin at 9:30 p.m. We have luminaries for sale for a small price. These luminaries are purchased in honor of someone who has survived cancer or someone who is deceased, who died of cancer. These luminaries can be purchased throughout the evening. We also spell out the word, hope with luminaries on the bleachers. We have activities throughout the night and we continue to walk all night long. At 6 a.m. we have a breakfast and continue to walk during the morning.
“Our volunteers have been raising money from individuals and we also have business sponsors and their names are printed on our Relay for Life T-shirts which we have every year. We also have a lot of prizes donated which will be given away. We are planning a silent auction from 6-10 p.m. this year for some of the prizes that were donated. The Virgin River in Mesquite donated a two night stay as well as the Holiday Inn in Price for a one night stay and two free dinners and two free movie passes go with that one. We also play bingo for prizes and have other games. Karaoke is also being planned. One new thing this year will be a survey that the cancer society is taking to see how people in our area want the money to be spent.
“We work to diminish suffering and improve quality of life for those with cancer. Relay is an opportunity to create awareness. We want to welcome all community members out to see the event and to feel the spirit of what we are doing. Relay is family helping family; friend helping friend and neighbor helping neighbor; this is what relay is all about,” said Sitterud.
Relay for Life
