Cancer Society fund-raiser at athletic club
The American Cancer Society’s (ACS) annual Relay for Life, an overnight, non-competitive team event in which team members walk or run relay-style around a local track to help support ACS cancer research, education, advocacy and patient service programs is coming to this area — Pennington Athletic Club, Pennington — on June 2-3.
Teams of citizens from all walks of life will gather at Pennington Athletic Club for a 15-hour relay against cancer from 6 p.m. on June 2 until 9 a.m. on June 3.
A highlight of the event is the luminaria service held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer. Luminaria candles will be at Pennington Athletic Club on June 2 at 10 p.m. to represent those individuals. The luminaria candles line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.
Anyone interested in honoring a loved one with a luminaria may do so by contacting the American Cancer Society at 895-0101. The donation for each luminaria candle is $10,
“It will be beautiful when all the bags with candles are illuminated around the track,” said Tracey Destribats, luminaria chairperson. “We hope to sell enough to light the entire area.”
Local cancer survivors will kick off Relay for Life on June 2 at 6 p.m. with the first official lap; then the rest of the participants join the fun.
For more information about luminaria, forming a team, or walking in the survivors’ lap, call 895-0101.
Relay for Life is a family-oriented event where participants enjoy the camaraderie of a team and raise funds to suppose the activities of the American Cancer Society. Participants camp out at the Relay site and when they are not taking their turn walking or running, they take part in fun activities and, enjoy local entertainment.
“Our community relays are a lot of fun for families and friends who put teams together and set up camp. They are also a great way for local businesses to sponsor teams and demonstrate their commitment to fight cancer in our community,” explained James Nealy, executive vice president, American Cancer Society. “This is one of the American Cancer Society’s most successful community events. We could not do it without the dedicated and caring volunteers and cancer survivors throughout the state.”
The American Cancer Society is the nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saying lives and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service.
For more information about the American Cancer Society, call 800-ACS-2345 or visit its web site at www,cancer.org.