RELAY FOR LIFE® - It Makes A Difference!
Nine Years Running And $200,000 Raised!
One person CAN make a difference! Nowhere is that more evident than with the story of Dr. Gordy Klatt, who began the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life in Tacoma, Washington. Dr. Klatt, a colorectal surgeon, decided to raise money for his local American Cancer Society by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons. In May of 1985, he spent 24 hours running and walking around a track, for a total of 83 miles. His friends, family and patients paid $25 each to accompany him for 30 minutes on the track. His vision grew and grew over the years, and now Relays are held at more than 5,000 sites all across the United States and in at least 21 other countries.
The 2012 Relay For Life of Nine Mile Falls is this Friday through Saturday morning, June 1-2, at Lakeside High School. The spirit of Dr. Klatt’s vision came to Nine Mile Falls in 2004. This year marks the 9th annual Relay in our town!
Unfortunately, there are still many people fighting cancer, and our work to help find a cure continues on, with our community’s help. Relay For Life has become one of our biggest community events over the years. When a handful of us got together to form the first committee back in 2004, it was with great humbleness and pride that we put together an event that would have such a huge impact on all of us.
Because of generous donations from caring sponsors, our friends, families and community, we’ve been able to raise over $200,000 throughout those years for the American Cancer Society.
A relay event is comprised of many volunteers who have given countless hours and effort to try to make a difference for all of us. Relay For Life is an overnight event consisting of teams of 8 to 15 people spending approximately 18 hours walking or running around a track during the entire event. Relay teams raise money throughout the year prior to the event in a variety of fundraising activities.
What is Relay for? We celebrate survivors, fund research and cancer education, and help to make important services possible for patients and their families. Two highlights of every Relay are the survivorship activities and the luminaria ceremony, each acknowledging those who have been touched by cancer. Survivors and their caregivers are honored and celebrated by special activities, including an opening survivors’ lap around the track and heartwarming ceremonies. Luminaria are lighted votive candles in paper bags, purchased both before and during the Relay. The lighted bags are placed around the track in memory of, or in honor of, someone who has been touched by cancer.
Walking around the track all night at Lakeside High School symbolizes the fact that cancer never sleeps, and that we never quit the fight for the cure.
Although Survivor Registration and Silent Auction bidding begins at 5:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively, the Opening Ceremony starts at 6:00 p.m. on Friday evening. We would love to see everyone in Nine Mile Falls and Deer Park attend this year, to enjoy an evening and a morning of heartfelt memories for those whom we’ve lost and for those who are still fighting their disease. There’s great entertainment planned, good food, fundraising games and activities. And, never will you find a place with as many encouraging smiles and positive attitudes, and tears as well.
If you would like to donate to this event, please contact Icky Ferdinand, at 276-8974. For more information or questions about the event, please contact Jerry or Serena Miller at 276-9041.
Please see our schedule of events listed in this issue and join us for a wonderful community event.
See you at Relay!