Gardendale Relay for Life set for Saturday

Discussion

May 16, 2012

Gardendale Relay for Life set for Saturday

By Nathan Prewett The North Jefferson News Wed May 16, 2012, 10:14 AM CDT

The 12th Annual Relay For Life returns to Gardendale for its long-standing effort to fight cancer.

The event, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is set for Saturday at the Gardendale Civic Center beginning at noon and ending at midnight. Admission is free.

There are 33 teams registered to take part in the event, which will raise money to go toward research that will hopefully find a cure for those who suffer from cancer. Along with teams running laps for cancer victims, there will be activities for children attending, plus games and face painting for children of all ages.

A free dinner will be provided from 5-6 p.m. to survivors of the disease, who then will get the party started with a ceremonial first lap in honor of cancer survivors.

The Relay For Life of North Jefferson Committee has, so far, raised about $20,000, with possibly more by the end of the event. Two years ago approximately $30,000 was raised, with $35,000 made from last year.

In the early 2000s Relay For Life raised just under $100,000 in the north Jefferson area, the most that the event has ever totaled.

Kristin McDonald, a developmental representative at the American Cancer Society, said the committee hopes to have a around 500 to 800 people take part this year. The committee is headed by Jenn Booth, and is made up of a board of volunteers that organizes Relay For Life for north Jefferson County.

Local schools were active participants as students helped Relay For Life’s fund-raising goals. Bragg Middle School, North Jefferson Middle School, Mt. Olive Elementary School and Snow Rogers Elementary School all helped raise money.

“I think this is going to be one of north Jefferson’s best Relay years,” McDonald said. “We’ve got more teen support and more participants than we’ve had in the past probably five or six years.”

Also, a ceremony will be held in which Amy Ellis, a cancer survivor, will speak on her experience with the disease and encourage others to help in the effort.

At 9 p.m. there will be a luminaria where the crowd holds a vigil in remembrance of victims who have passed away. Luminaria bags are $5 per bag, with each one bearing the name of a cancer victim.

Educators will be speaking to interested participants and visitors on cancer and will conduct seminars. In addition, cancer screening tests will be offered and as well as advice on how to quit smoking.

Relay For Life first began in 1985 with Dr. Gordy Klatt, a physician who got the idea by running laps in a track field for 24 hours. Since then his idea grew into a nationwide effort to raise money for cancer research.

“The committee has done a fabulous job of recruiting a bunch of different teams from schools, churches and businesses,” said McDonald. “We’ve got a lot of support this year.”

For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org. To donate, visit www.relayforlife.org/northjefferson

Text Only

Top Stories

Search Results

Discussion

Gardendale Relay for Life set for Saturday

Site Map

Contact Us