It’s time to get your Relay for Life teams organized because the annual event is only a month away. The overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society starts the afternoon of Feb. 9 at Winston Wells ballfield in Cruz Bay, wrapping up at the next morning at 10 a.m.
“Young, old, red, yellow, and black and white. Cancer doesn’t discriminate,” race chairwoman Barbara Dalmida said as she explained why people should support and participate in the event.
While dressing up in costume isn’t mandatory, Loren Abramson, who spearheads the team committee, said it makes it more fun.
This year’s Relay for Life also includes the traditional survivors’ dinner. Dalmida said that all cancer survivors and one caregiver each are invited to attend, adding that if they are not already on the list, she asked that they call her to sign up.
Other events in the planning stage include a hot chicken wing eating contest, a Miss Relay contest and fire dancers.
The committee is also selling luminaries to be lit in memory of those who died or in honor of the survivors. Dalmida or Connections should be contacted for luminary information.
Dalmida said she hopes 30 teams will participate, and Abramson said there is still plenty of space for more teams to sign up.
Each team has 15 members who will walk a relay around the field all night long.
Registration is $150 for each team plus $100 per team member. Since the goal is fundraising, Abramson said that teams may raise the money any way they like.
“Go to businesses for donations or have car washes,” she suggested.
Although the opening ceremony doesn’t start until 4 p.m., teams should plan to set up their base station at the ballfield around noon, Abramson said.
Many teams bring tents so their members have a place to sleep during the night but Abramson said even just two chairs will do.
They also need to bring food, she said.
Reach Abramson at 776-6285 or 513-2159, Dalmida at 776-6484 and Connections at 776-6922.
