Cancer fighting event awaited
Fayette County residents will take up the fight against cancer during the Relay for Life of Laurel Highlands to be held next weekend at Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus. The event will begin at noon Saturday, Aug. 14, and end at noon, Sunday, Aug. 15.
“It is about a community taking up the fight against cancer,” said Neil Gearhart, community income development specialist for the American Cancer Society.
For the past 15 years, local cancer survivors and supporters have pulled together to raise over $2 million through the Relay for Life for research in finding a cure and for funding of programs that assist patients battling the disease.
“All the money goes to American Cancer Society programs, services and research,” said Gearhart.
This year, over 46 teams have signed on to participate in the Relay for Life at Penn State Fayette, which is a change in venue. The relay event had been held at Laurel Highlands Senior High School for a number of years.
The teams can consist of business, churches, families, clubs or any group of people dedicated to fighting cancer. The teams hold individual fundraisers throughout the year then bring their totals to the relay, where a final tally is added up.
The goal is for all teams to have a member on the track for all 24 hours. However, it’s difficult for some teams, especially smaller ones, and they’re encouraged to just have as many people take part in the relay as possible.
The 2010 relay will feature several events that are geared towards celebrating those who have defeated cancer, remembering those who fought valiantly and the ongoing fight to find a cure.
“We have familiar events to those who have participated before like our survivor lap, luminaries and the Torch of Hope on Sunday morning,” explained Barb Yalich Fike, co-chairwoman for the Relay for Life.
The Survivor Lap provides survivors an opportunity to celebrate victories over cancer by participating with a lap around the course.
The Luminaria Ceremony takes place after dark with participants remembering loved ones who have lost the battle against cancer and honoring those who have been affected. This ceremony features lit candles placed inside bags which will be tagged with a name of a person affected by the disease.
“There will be a non-denominational sunrise service held at 6 a.m. Sunday morning,” said Ed Kustron, co-chairman of the Relay for Life.
Following the sunrise service the Fayette County Striders will carry in the Torch of Hope.
Yalich Fike also explained that something new at this year’s relay will be an informative talk that will discuss how to cope with the financial burden associated with cancer. The I Can Cope program will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in the Williams Building in Swimmer Hall.
Even though the relay serves as an opportunity for friends and family to meet, celebrate and remember loved ones who have passed, it also serves as a way to educate the public about cancer.
“We hope people will go away with a better understanding of the disease, cancer,” said Gearhart. “We want to get the word out about the American Cancer Society and what it has to offer.”
“Relay is a very important time for sharing with those that have made it to another relay, to share memories of those we have lost and to hope,” said Yalich Fike.
“Eventually we want to eliminate the Relay for Life,” said Kustron. “That would mean there is no more cancer.”
The Relay for Life organization is still accepting teams and donations and will continue to do so up to and including the day of the relay.
For more information about the Relay for Life call 1-888-227-5445 or visit www.relayforlife.org/palaurelhighlands.com.
To learn more about the American Cancer Society contact 1-800-227-2345 or go to www.cancer.org.