Relay For Life of New London gets underway from 5 p.m. to midnight Friday, June 13, at the New London Middle School track.
Relay For Life brings together friends, families, businesses, schools, faith-based groups – all aimed at celebrating the lives of those who have survived cancer, remembering those we’ve lost, and providing a forum to fight back the disease.
The opening ‘Fight Back” Ceremonies start at 6 pm. Featured speaker and Honorary Chairperson Cheryl Seelig shares her perspective on cancer with the supportive public and Relay teams. Seelig is not only a cancer survivor but also a multi-faceted individual; a person anyone can connect to in some way. Following the National Anthem, a survivor lap launches the evening walk to cure cancer. Get revved up to fight cancer with a DJ who plays music throughout the event.
A “Colors of Hope” theme encompasses this year’s single evening event. Earlier in the year, each Relay for Life team chose a color that represents a specific type of cancer.
For instance, Clintonville team “Hunters for a Cause” chose (blaze) orange, representing leukemia and kidney cancers. The Chillerz team chose the color light blue that represents prostate cancer. A team member has a father battling prostate cancer. Each team will feature their chosen cancer color at their site around the track.
Whatever the color, hope for a cancer cure is evident throughout Relay events.
At the Relay event and throughout the entire year, teams host creative fundraisers. One team commented that the public has been fantastic at supporting golf outings, rummage sales, bake sales, and more.
This year, team Smiles for Miles is serving walking tacos on the track, a delicious ‘on the go’ choice for dinner. Burgers, brats and French fries purchased at the Methodist Men’s’ Food Wagon will add to the 2014 fundraising total. Family games, glow-in-the-dark items, a kid’s movie with popcorn and cancer support items give you the opportunity to support this cancer fundraiser in another way.
Located under the big white tent in the middle of the school’s track is the ever-popular silent auction. Auction items range from $20 values to $100 or more.
Funds from the New London and Clintonville teams have local impact on the lives of those touched by cancer, contributing to the many area support services so vital to caring for cancer patients and survivors.
“Many of our participants are cancer survivors who serve as a reminder that our communities of Clintonville, New London and the surrounding townships are not immune to this disease,” said New London Relay for Life Chairwoman Rae Anne Kalbus.
“We celebrate survivors who attend our Relay with a welcome reception at 5pm in the commons area of the school. By participating in these Relays, we work with the American Cancer Society’s efforts and make our own footprint in the fight against cancer,” added Kalbus.
Relay for Life’s luminaria ceremony takes place at 10 pm., honoring the community’s cancer survivors and remembering loved ones lost to the disease. The public and Relay For Life teams circle the track that is illuminated by personalized, candlelit luminaria that bear the name of someone who is or has battled cancer, or lost the fight. Purchase one or many luminaria bags, for a suggested price of $5 each, by calling Beth at 920-982-2552 or by visiting www.relayforlife.org/newlondonwi
Call Relay for Life Specialist Dave Lardinois at 920-321-1368 to learn more about the local Relay for Life.