Aug 2, 2009 4 min read

There will be one change in the Fayette County Relay for Life when the event convenes at Laurel Highlands High School on Saturday – the 15th annual event will run from noon Saturday until noon Sunday, instead of from evening to evening as in past years. Surveys and a polling of committee members resulted in the time adjustment, said Stacey Smith, who serves as the Fayette County Unit of the American Cancer Society’s staff partner for the event. Relay for Life volunteer Lisa Rose said the committee decided to make the change to see how it works out for volunteers and participants.

“Some Relays such as Greene County’s go from 8 a.m. to 8 a.m.,” Rose said. “Previously, we went from 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. The change will allow for more time to clean up and leave. Personally, it will give me more time to rest for work the next day.”

Rose is a breast cancer survivor, who has been cancer-free for almost four years. Like many volunteers, Rose is passionate about helping raise money for the American Cancer Society. She is in her fifth year as a Relay for Life volunteer.

Last year’s event was Smith’s first as event partner, and she said the response by volunteers, sponsor teams, and the public, “just blew me away. Everybody was there for the right reason. The community came together and everything fell into place. They all did a wonderful job.”

Smith said that the Fayette County Relay or Life has grown from raising roughly $36,000 in proceeds its first year to around $163,000 last year. In its previous 14 years, the county effort has contributed over $1.8 million to the American Cancer Society.

Including college projects, the Fayette County Relay for Life is one of 55 fundraising events involving the 18 counties of the ACS Western Region of the Pennsylvania Division. The summer season runs from April through August.

The Ambassador for this year’s Relay for Life will be 9-year-old Lidia DiConcilis of North Union Township. She will lead the opening lap around 2 p.m. Saturday, and lead the lap of the Survivors’ Ceremony at 6 p.m. Saturday.

Heading this year’s Fayette Relay for Life will be Ed Kustron and Barb Yalich-Fike. Thus far, more than 40 teams have registered for the event, exceeding the 37 teams of the 2008 Relay for Life.

Smith said teams may still register for this weekend’s activities at a discount through Saturday. Anyone interested can call the Fayette County Unit at 724-439-0545.

The teams gather in support of cancer survivors or in memory of a friend or family member who has been a cancer victim. The teams are made up mainly of families, friends, businesses, church groups and other civic organizations, raise money for the American Cancer Society through Relay for Life pledges and other fundraising projects throughout the year.

“This year’s fundraising goal is $171,000,” Smith said. “It’s amazing what Fayette County did last year. People should also remember that every dollar counts.”

Participants and volunteers will begin setting up in front of Laurel Highlands High School at noon Saturday. The opening ceremonies at 2 p.m. will feature the singing of “The Star-Spangled Banner” by Kamry Uhazie, welcoming comments by the organizers, and additional songs by soloist Ellie Trincia. Serving as disc jockey throughout the event will be Mark Rafail of Kingfish Worldwide.

Smith said there will be 15 events over the 24-hour period, including contests for the participants. The traditional lighting of luminaries will take place at 9 p.m. On Sunday morning, the Torch Run of Hope will begin between 9 and 9:15 a.m., moving out on Route 119, with the runners expected to arrive at the event site around 10 a.m. The run will include a lap around the high school track.

Among the major sponsors for the Fayette County Relay for Life are the American Cancer Society, the Laurel Highlands School District, the Uniontown Herald-Standard, Uniontown Hospital, Kingfish Worldwide, the Polish Club of Uniontown, WMBS Radio, Armstrong Cable, and UPMC Cancer Center.

The following is the schedule of events:

Saturday

Noon, teams begin to set up

2 p.m, opening eeremony

2:45 p.m., Hula Hoop contest

3 p.m., karate demonstration

3:15 p.m., alligator wrestling

3:45p.m., Pingpong Knock Down

4 p.m., auction opens

5:45 p.m., caregiver ceremony

6: p.m., survivor ceremony and lap

8:30 p.m., special memory ceremony

9 p.m., silent lap and luminaria ceremony

Sunday, Aug. 9

5:50 a.m., rooster-crowing contest

6 a.m., sunrise service

8 a.m., event auction reopens

10 a.m., Torch of Hope ceremony

11:30 a.m., closing ceremony and Unity Lap