Relay For Life slated for next month

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People wanting to make a difference in others’ lives can do so by taking part in the 2000 Isabella County 24 Hour Relay For Life.
The event starts at 10 a.m. May 6 at the Isabella County Fairgrounds.
Dawn Painter, co-chair of Relay For Life, said this event was sponsored by the American Cancer Society, a volunteer-based organization.
Several local business including Midland-based Dow Chemical; Home Depot, 5650 E. Pickard Road; Green’s 24 Hour Towing, 731 S. Mission Road; Next Door Food Stores, the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and Intricate Decor, 4934 Pickard Road, are also the co-sponsors of the event, she said.
Painter said the relay is a community celebration to honor and remember those who have battled cancer.
It is also a challenging and fun way to raise cancer awareness and funding to find a cure for all cancers, she said.
“It (Relay For Life) has been a traditional program of American Cancer Society for quite a long time,” she said.
The object of this event, Painter said, is to increase general awareness about cancer, to educate the community about early detection of cancer and to raise money for cancer research, programs and services.
“Last year, Isabella County raised about $32,000. This year, we have set up a goal to reach about $40,000.
“All the raised money will directly benefit the cancer patients as well as their family,” she said.
Painter said participants need to form a team which can be made up of family members, friends, neighbors and co-workers, but each team should contain at least 15 people.
“We expect around 15 to 20 teams, with about 400 people to participate in our relay,” she said.
Team members are responsible to collect donations prior to the event and then dedicate 24 hours to camping out with teammates, and taking turns walking, jogging or running around a track, Painter said.
She said throughout the 24 hours, a variety of entertainment and camaraderie have been planned, including a cancer survivor’s and caregiver victory lap and a luminary ceremony to pay tribute to those who have survived cancer.
A live auction, volleyball tournament, country music singer performance, as well as many other team activities, will also take place throughout that day, Painter said.
“That 24 hours really make a difference. People who would like to have a great time with others while helping to fight cancer are encouraged to participate in this event,” she said.
Painter said anyone who is from Isabella County can participate in this event, and volunteer opportunities are available.
The registration fee for each team is $100, which can be paid in advance or at the site, Painter said.
Mary Price, Mount Pleasant resident, said this is the second time that her family members have been involved in Relay For Life.
“We consider it worthwhile to participate, because it is one way that we can do to help other cancer patients, as well as their family.
“That event will not only benefit our community, but also the whole United States,” she said.
For more information about this event, or to buy a luminary honoring some cancer survivors, contact Painter at 772-2957 extension 4259 or the local American Cancer Society office at 1-800-872-8711.