Hundreds gather at Arena Building for annual Relay for Life on Saturday

More than 650 participants in 49 teams gathered Saturday at the Arena Building in Cape Girardeau for the annual American Cancer Society Relay for Life.

The teams walked around the Arena Building from 5 p.m. Saturday to a scheduled stop time of 5 a.m. Sunday to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

"Relay for Life is a 12 hour event that shows a day in the life of a cancer survivor," said Kelli Schenimann, community manager of development for the American Cancer Society.

A final tally for fundraising was not available late Saturday, but organizers estimated $140,000 had been raised.

Scott Givens and Judy Alsin of SoutheastHEALTH emceed the event. For the opening ceremonies, Givens dressed like celebrity fitness trainer Richard Simmons and led the participants in a dance warm up to the song "I've Got a Feeling."

Trenton Beard, 10, a student at Oak Ridge Elementary, told his story with his aunt Bobbi King. Beard is a two-year cancer survivor. He was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia in December 2010. Beard was placed on a three-year chemotherapy program that will end in January.

Craig Boring, the American Cancer Society regional vice president of eastern Missouri, presented co-chairwomen Belita Brammer and Joyce Penny with a banner commemorating $1 million raised by past relays.

Dr. John Tavis of St. Louis University spoke about how the American Cancer Society uses the money raised to fund research. Tavis said the society funds scientists when they are young and most creative. Tavis said he was excited to see such a huge community event.

Givens dressed like Captain Jack Sparrow from "Pirates of the Caribbean" to introduce the candidates for the Mr. Relay pageant. Contestants were dressed like women and collected money from the floor. Whoever collected the most would be crowned Mr. Relay.

Chester Seyer of the Do it Best Team, Mr. Relay contestant, said he was there "for a good cause."

The Relay for Life brought faith communities, school organizations and other local businesses out in support.

The Kluessner Krusaders, nuns from local parishes, were participating in their sixth relay. Sister Donna Kielhofner said one of her cousins who supported Relay for Life died of cancer. She said she wanted to continue the research and help the community.

Kelso C-7 School's Beta Club and Jackson High School's Health Care Career Club sold items in support of the relay. Jessica Barnes of Kelso, Mo., was spray painting hair pink in support of breast cancer.

"We plan on staying here all night and having fun," said participant Betty Brooks of Jackson.

For Team Chap of Chap Arnold Insurance, this year's relay was their first. Connie Arnold said they wanted to honor and celebrate Chap Arnold who died of cancer in June.

"This is a great event, great cause and we will be here next year," Arnold said.

For more information, visit relayforlife.org/capemo.

Pertinent address:

410 Kiwanis Drive, Cape Girardeau, MO