Relay For Life of Sangamon and Menard Counties will be held on June 21-22 at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois to raise money for cancer research and help from the American Cancer Society. Over 900 people are expected to participate in the overnight event by walking or running around the track to raise awareness and funds. Activities will include a survivor lap, luminaria ceremony, and entertainment throughout the night. The goal is to honor those affected by cancer and support the American Cancer Society's efforts to find cures and help cancer patients and their families.
Relay For Life of Sangamon and Menard Counties will be held on June 21-22 at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois to raise money for cancer research and help from the American Cancer Society. Over 900 people are expected to participate in the overnight event by walking or running around the track to raise awareness and funds. Activities will include a survivor lap, luminaria ceremony, and entertainment throughout the night. The goal is to honor those affected by cancer and support the American Cancer Society's efforts to find cures and help cancer patients and their families.
Relay For Life of Sangamon and Menard Counties will be held on June 21-22 at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois to raise money for cancer research and help from the American Cancer Society. Over 900 people are expected to participate in the overnight event by walking or running around the track to raise awareness and funds. Activities will include a survivor lap, luminaria ceremony, and entertainment throughout the night. The goal is to honor those affected by cancer and support the American Cancer Society's efforts to find cures and help cancer patients and their families.
Relay For Life of Sangamon and Menard Counties will be held on June 21-22 at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield, Illinois to raise money for cancer research and help from the American Cancer Society. Over 900 people are expected to participate in the overnight event by walking or running around the track to raise awareness and funds. Activities will include a survivor lap, luminaria ceremony, and entertainment throughout the night. The goal is to honor those affected by cancer and support the American Cancer Society's efforts to find cures and help cancer patients and their families.
SETTING THE SUN ON CANCER AT RELAY FOR LIFE OF SANGAMON AND MENARD COUNTIES
Springfield, IL Even before the sun sets on Saturday, June 21, more than 900 people will begin walking to show their determination to Set the Sun on Cancer when the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Sangamon and Menard Counties gets underway. Teams and participants will come together at 6 p.m. for the events Opening Ceremony at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.
The setting sun is often a symbol of the end of something, and this year we want to symbolize the end of cancer, said event co-chair Annette Belcher. With the funds raised by all of our Relay For Life participants, were definitely helping the American Cancer Societys efforts to finish the fight and bring an end to cancer as we know it.
During Relay For Life, participants camp out overnight and take turns walking - or running - around the track. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, relay events take place overnight, and Relay For Life of Sangamon and Menard Counties continues to 6 am Sunday, June 22.
As co-chair Sandy Wilmot points out, walking is just part of the event. We walk, but we also enjoy a night packed with hope and family-focused fun, she stressed. Theres never a dull moment and its all to raise money for research and American Cancer Society programs that provide information and help for individuals facing cancer.
One of the most touching moments during Relay For Life is the Luminaria Ceremony which takes place after the actual sunset, honoring the communitys cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease. With bagpipes playing, participants silently circle the track surrounded by glowing luminaria that bear the names of loved ones. Luminaria may be purchased for $10.00 each at the event or by visiting www.relayforlife.org/sangamonil.
Relay For Life of Sangamon and Menard Counties also features elaborately decorated campsites, food, childrens area and a wide variety of entertainment, theme laps and activities all night long. A complete schedule is available upon request.
MEDIA ADVISORIES
Photo and video opportunities: 6 pm Opening Ceremony 6:30 pm Survivor Lap featuring hundreds of purple-clad cancer survivors, Caregiver Lap and Provider Lap 9 pm Luminaria Ceremony 10:30 pm Texas Road House Line Dancing Midnight Pajama Lap
At any time during Relay For Life, volunteers wearing T-shirts with COMMITTEE on the back can help you with directions or help you locate anyone you need.
To arrange interviews with co-chairs Annette Belcher and Sandy Wilmot, cancer survivors, or Rachel Ray, Specialist, Relay For Life, American Cancer Society, contact Barry House at 217-801-7319 or bphouse@gmail.com.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991, and a 50 percent drop in smoking rates. Thanks in part to our progress nearly 14 million Americans who have had cancer and countless more who have avoided it will celebrate more birthdays this year. After marking our 100th birthday in 2013, we're more determined than ever to finish the fight against cancer. We're finding cures as the nations largest private, not-for-profit investor in cancer research, ensuring people facing cancer have the help they need and continuing the fight for access to quality health care, lifesaving screenings, clean air, and more. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.