August 14, 2008

Relay For Life returns this weekend

Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back.

Journal photo by Jennifer Larsen

Got bail? Relay For Life event coordinator Cindy Edgren – donning black and white stripes – puts on a smile as she ‘frantically’ tries to make bail Monday afternoon in the Adams County Jail. The Flatfoots for a Cure team set her bail at $500 as a fundraiser for the event.

Walkers from all corners of eastern Adams County will go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Ritzville.

This celebration of life brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together for a unified effort to fight back.

Teams of enthusiastic citizens will gather at the Ritzville High School football field for an overnight relay against cancer from 6 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 15, until 10 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 16.

It’s a chance to celebrate the survivors, remember those who have lost the battle and fight back for those that are battling this disease.

Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that allows participants from all walks of life – including patients, medical support staff, corporations, civic organizations, churches and community volunteers – to join together to fight cancer.

Relay For Life reminds us that progress has been made in the fight against cancer and that everyone who participates is making a difference.

Teams campout, eat and play games throughout the night. The event kicks off Friday evening at the Ritzville High School track when the registration table opens at 5 p.m. for team check in. At the same time, bidding opens for nearly 50 items in the silent auction, which ends at 8 p.m.

4-H members Brooke Pichette, Haley Oestreich, Sydney Nelson, Corydon Funk and Mikey Oestreich will greet people entering the event area, offering directions and information to various locations on the track.

Survivors Reception

A cancer survivor’s reception and dinner is set for 5 p.m. at the Gilson Gym, where survivors and a guest are treated to a meal.

In celebration of their victory over cancer, survivors receive a free Relay For Life t-shirt, sash and balloon, which will be released during the Cancer Survivors’ Lap.

Opening ceremony

All eyes will be on the track for the opening ceremony at 6 p.m., followed by the Survivors Ceremony. Caitlin Blankenship will provide special music during the ceremony.

Relay For Life of Ritzville will open with survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) releasing their balloons and beginning their walk or wheelchair the first lap around the track to the sound of a starter’s gun. This emotional lap honors the courage of all who have defeated cancer.

A Caregivers’ Lap will honor those who have dedicated their time, energy, thoughts, prayers, transportation and anything else to those fighting cancer.

Parade of Teams

The Runnin’ Elephants will lead the Parade of Teams at 6:30 p.m., followed by Life Care, Tastefully Simple Double Dippers, Stayin’ Alive, Family Traditions, Garden of Hope, I Walk for Ron, Lifesavers, Tana’s Posse, CF Labor for the Cure, Witching for a Cure, Farmers Fighting Cancer, Perkins Pancake Pushers, Petal Pushers, Flatfoots for a Cure, Braniacs, $Dollar Diva’s and Inky Dinks.

After the Parade of Teams, a full slate of music, games, themed laps and entertainment will fill the evening until 10 p.m., when the Luminaria Ceremony begins.

Luminaria Ceremony

Highlighting the evening, the Luminaria Ceremony is held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer.

Individuals or companies may make contributions in memory of those who have lost their fight with cancer and in honor of those who have survived.

Each will be recognized by a lighted luminary. The luminaries line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.

The atmosphere of Relay For Life is one of camaraderie and celebration, providing an opportunity for cancer survivors to pass the torch of hope on to those still battling cancer or those that might be touched by cancer in the future.

“Miss”Ter Relay

A half hour before the stroke of midnight, team members will gather at the grandstands to watch as this year’s roster of “Miss”Ter Relay contestants parade onto the track.

Teams are encouraged to choose at least one teammate to participate in “Miss”Ter Relay for a half-hour at 11:30 p.m.

During that time, the contestants race around and collect donations in purses they are carrying. The one with the most donations wins and will be crowned as 2008 “Miss”Ter Relay.

Last year’s “Miss”Ter Relay was Bahama Momma, commonly known as Dave Braun. All 15 “Miss”Ter Relays garnered a total of $1,285 in a half hour.

“Miss”Ter Relay participants are male members of each team dressed in ‘drag.’ Examples of costumes include dresses with jewelry and wigs to match, a full habit similar to a nun’s, Wonder Woman, etc.

Food, activities

Mike Telecky’s barbecued meat and baked beans returns to the all-night event. Perkins is providing coffee, cookies, bottled water and muffins as well.

Movies, games and hourly drawings keep the night alive from midnight to 6 a.m., with more games and entertainment set for 7 a.m. Saturday.

Topping the event is a full roster of top-notch games and activities including a Jump Castle, scavenger hunt, People Bingo, the Hokey Pokey, dancing to Footloose, Hula Hoop contests, Easter Egg hunt and campsite judging.

Themed laps are set throughout the 16-hour relay, including poker, crazy hats, Halloween, Bingo and Scrabble.

At 8:15 a.m., all donations are turned in for the final tally, and the event wraps up with a closing ceremony at 10 a.m.