June 28, 2016
By Paul Joseph, Paragon Communications News Director –
Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the Relay For Life movement.
Elk City’s Relay for Life is only a few weeks away and local organizers are busy getting things lined up for the July 23rd event.
The “Lead” for the Beckham County Relay this year is Melody Cummings, who also happens to be a cancer survivor. She says anyone can participate in the relay by one of three ways – by celebrating, remembering and by fighting back.
During a Relay event, she says participants and survivors celebrate what they’ve overcome. They remember loved ones and friends lost to the disease and honor others who have fought or are fighting cancer and finally, the event inspires relay participants to take action against a disease that has taken too much.
Those that can’t walk or attend the event can still participate in a number of ways – two of which are by providing luminaries and/or cancer cuddlers.
Luminaries are small bags that are illuminated after dark at every local Relay For Life event. Each luminary is personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer.
According to relay-dot-org, the funds raised through Relay for Life make a difference in the fight against cancer. In fact, there are nearly 14 million cancer survivors who will celebrate another birthday this year.
At a typical Relay For Life event, teams camp out overnight and take turns walking or running around a track or path at a local high school, park, or fairground. Events are up to 24 hours long, and because cancer never sleeps, each team is asked to have at least one participant on the track at all times.
Beckham County’s Relay for life event will be held at the Elk City Convention Center from noon until 7 pm on Thursday, July 23.
Cummings says there’s still plenty of time to get involved in one of many ways.
She says, remember, if you can’t walk, you can still participate with a sponsorship of the event.
In more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries, Relay For Life events comprise the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Each event is special to its community, but the movement’s true power lies in the combined commitment of thousands of participants, volunteers, and supporters to help the American Cancer Society save lives from cancer.
According to relay-dot-org, survivors and caregivers alike have described attending a Relay For Life event as a life changing experience.
– 30 –