By Peggy R. Shearin
Observer Correspondent
Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising activity. It is a fun-filled overnight event which brings those who have been touched by cancer together.
Relay offers everyone in the community an opportunity to participate in the fight against cancer, as well as a chance to celebrate life, and friendship.
For many newly diagnosed patients, Relay is an experience that gives them the chance to meet others who are going through the same or later phases of treatments for this frightening disease.
Cancer patients are given the opportunity to interact with many survivors who have been through the treatments and reached a happy ending to their ordeal. For their caregivers it gives them a time of hope and understanding.
Cancer survivors are recognized during the Survivors Lap and honored during the Luminaries Ceremony; victims who lost their battle with this dreaded disease are remembered during the lighting of the luminaries.
A special moment was held during Warren County’s Luminaries Ceremony on Friday night to remember Elizabeth Harris, of Littleton, a strong supporter of Relay for Life since it began, who lost her battle with cancer on Thursday, May 24.
The event was started in the mid-1980’s by Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Wash., a colorectal surgeon, to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office.
It has since grown into a worldwide event with more than 3.5 million Americans taking part in the event, and tens of thousands more participating in events held across the globe. Those millions of volunteers at more than 4,800 community events each have a story to tell.
On Friday evening people, young, old, and in between, some in strollers, others being driven in golf carts, all converged on the athletic stadium of Warren County High School to support Warren County’s Relay for Life.
The goal of this year’s Relay was $75,000; Margo Holbrook, 2007 chairperson, stated late Saturday that $73,904 had been raised, with more money still coming in. More than 23 teams and 300 people worked together on committees and in separate fund raising areas to help raise these funds.
Team activities included selling food, which included everything from hot dogs to Brunswick stew to chicken, beverages, trinkets, raffles and softball games to help raise money.
All team efforts culminated on Friday evening when the relay was held. Teams continued their efforts at the relay by having food and drink booths with members spending all night Friday and into Saturday walking and raising funds.
The relay begins with a Survivor Lap where this year 147 survivors, accompanied by Warren County High School Junior ROTC members, walked together to support the fight against cancer.
Cancer survivor John Shrack led the survivors and had the honor of lighting the Candle of Hope.
Entertainment for the festivities was presented by the church choir, 5th Sunday Night, rock and roll bands Saltlicks, and Trazition.
A special breast cancer walk, cakewalk, group disco dance, pajama walk and a hula-hoop competition were held throughout the night and into the early morning. Margaret White of Norlina was named the first Committee Member of the Year.
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