Cape County Relay For Life

American Cancer Society Announces Relay For Life

Saturday, April 25th, 2009 -- Cape Girardeau County walkers go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life. 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 Arena Park for a relay against cancer from 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25th until 4:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 26th.

Relay For Life, the Society's signature event, is a life-changing experience that helps us celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and to fight back against a disease that takes too much. This unforgettable event raises awareness and funds to save lives, help those touched by cancer, and empower people to fight back against this disease. With the money raised at Relay, your American Cancer Society is working toward an important goal -- a future without cancer.

Relay For Life includes a celebration of cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), who walk or wheelchair a lap around the track. This is an emotional time and sets the stage for the importance of each participant's contribution. A festive atmosphere always develops around the track area at these events. As new friends are made or time is spent with old ones, the Relay heats up and the camp-out begins. An atmosphere of camaraderie is created with team members entertaining each other: eating, playing games, and, of course, walking for a great cause.

Highlighting the evening is the Luminaria Ceremony held at dusk to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer. The luminarias line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.

"Relay For Life is as much an awareness raiser about the progress against cancer as it is a fund raiser," said Danielle McGuire, event chair. "Many of the participants will be people who have dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made in reducing cancer death rates and in the quality of life following cancer treatment."

Information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay For Life is available from the American Cancer Society at (573)334-9352 or 1-800-ACS-2345.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call your local ACS office at (573) 334-9352 or toll free 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.