(May 11, 2017) An abundance of activities are on tap for the participants who will gather at Stephen Decatur Middle School in Berlin, Friday, May 12, for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life.
Because of rain forecasted, organizers moved the event indoors from the Frontier Town Campground in Berlin.
The 2017 North Worcester County Relay For Life kicks off at 6 p.m. to celebrate survivors beating cancer, remember loved ones who lost their battle and offer support for people who are currently fighting the disease.
“People should attend because it will take our community as a team to eradicate cancer in our lifetime,” said Dawn Hodge, event chairwoman. “The American Cancer Society is No. 2 in the nation, only behind the National Institute of Health, in funding of cancer research. The funding comes from community events such as Relay For Life, which is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society.”
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Carnival of Hope.”
“Our event is always family-friendly and will have a lot of fun activities for kids while also providing fun for adults too,” Hodge said. “This event is special because it is a great opportunity to spend quality time with others in our community who are fighting against cancer.”
All members will decorate their campsites using bright, carnival colors, in addition to creating games for attendees to play.
“They can easily use the games to fundraise and still incorporate the American Cancer Society’s mission on health initiatives by having posters displayed or using the information in their games and decorations,” Hodge said.
Individuals and teams can register at the event starting at 4 p.m., and there is no fee to participate.
This year, 40 teams with 300 participants are expected to participate. Relay For Life will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and continue until midnight on Saturday.
The goal for 2017 is to have 130 survivors in attendance and to generate $175,000 for the American Cancer Society. Approximately $77,164 had been raised as of Monday, Hodge said.
“Once Relay For Life gets in your blood, you are hooked,” Hodge said. “We are always looking for new participants. More people are drawn to Relay For Life each year, which is great, but it is also a sign of how cancer is prevalent in our community and touches more people every year.”
Participants have until the end of August to submit their final donations.
During the six-hour fundraiser, team members will take turns walking laps and organizers strive for each team to have at least one member taking a lap throughout the night.
Participants will each receive a carnival ticket, which can be marked at each visited campsite and could win the person a grand prize, which will be given away during the midnight closing ceremonies. Winners must be present.
In 2016, 45 teams and 316 registered participants, came out to Relay For Life, helping to raise about $165,500 for the organization. Throughout the past 19 years, North Worcester County’s Relay has donated more than $1 million to the American Cancer Society.
”The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is a fundraising event for education, patient services, advocacy and research for all cancers,” Hodge said. “All of these issues affect our community. The money we raise through Relay For Life ensures that these lifesaving initiatives will continue to be provided in Worcester County.”
Relay For Life’s 2017 opening ceremony kicks off at 6 p.m. Cancer survivors will walk the ceremonial first lap of the night, the “Survivors’ Lap,” while they are cheered on by other participants in celebration of their victory over cancer.
Survivors will be joined by their caregivers for the second lap of the evening. In honor of Mother’s Day, the third lap is designated to moms.
A reception for cancer survivors hosted by Atlantic General Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center will take place at 6:35 p.m. after the first couple of laps, Dr. Roopa Gupta will speak and DJ Brian K. Hall from the Vault will spin the tunes.
Next, sponsor teams will display their company logos and banners before children walk during the fifth lap.
Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the carnival food and entertainment including Sunshine the Clown.
The Luminaria Ceremony of Remembrance begins at 8:15 p.m. in honor and remembrance of a loved one or friend who has been touched by cancer, Hodge said.
A heartfelt candle-lighting ceremony takes place at dusk with a suggested donation of $10 a bag and $25 a tiki torch, which can be purchased at the event from 4-7:30 p.m.
“Luminaria is the time of our event when we remember,” Hodge said. “Everything gets very quiet as the sun sets and we begin the ceremony. It is a somber and reflective time.”
The Luminaria Ceremony of Remembrance will be presented by the Peninsula Regional Medical Center Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute and Dr. John Mansueti will say a few words.
“The person you are reflecting may still be a survivor, but you are remembering that difficult fight they fought and won,” Dodge said. “Or you are remembering a loved one and how much you miss them.”
Closing ceremonies take place at midnight with a “S’more Hope” bonfire.
“In the opening ceremony, we celebrate our survivors,” Hodge said. “At the end, we dedicate ourselves to continue to fight back.”
For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/northworcestermd or contact Hodge at dawnhodge@comcast.net or 443-497-1198. Search “Relay For Life North Worcester County Maryland” on Facebook.
Because of rain forecasted, organizers moved the event indoors from the Frontier Town Campground in Berlin.
The 2017 North Worcester County Relay For Life kicks off at 6 p.m. to celebrate survivors beating cancer, remember loved ones who lost their battle and offer support for people who are currently fighting the disease.
“People should attend because it will take our community as a team to eradicate cancer in our lifetime,” said Dawn Hodge, event chairwoman. “The American Cancer Society is No. 2 in the nation, only behind the National Institute of Health, in funding of cancer research. The funding comes from community events such as Relay For Life, which is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society.”
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Carnival of Hope.”
“Our event is always family-friendly and will have a lot of fun activities for kids while also providing fun for adults too,” Hodge said. “This event is special because it is a great opportunity to spend quality time with others in our community who are fighting against cancer.”
All members will decorate their campsites using bright, carnival colors, in addition to creating games for attendees to play.
“They can easily use the games to fundraise and still incorporate the American Cancer Society’s mission on health initiatives by having posters displayed or using the information in their games and decorations,” Hodge said.
Individuals and teams can register at the event starting at 4 p.m., and there is no fee to participate.
This year, 40 teams with 300 participants are expected to participate. Relay For Life will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and continue until midnight on Saturday.
The goal for 2017 is to have 130 survivors in attendance and to generate $175,000 for the American Cancer Society. Approximately $77,164 had been raised as of Monday, Hodge said.
“Once Relay For Life gets in your blood, you are hooked,” Hodge said. “We are always looking for new participants. More people are drawn to Relay For Life each year, which is great, but it is also a sign of how cancer is prevalent in our community and touches more people every year.”
Participants have until the end of August to submit their final donations.
During the six-hour fundraiser, team members will take turns walking laps and organizers strive for each team to have at least one member taking a lap throughout the night.
Participants will each receive a carnival ticket, which can be marked at each visited campsite and could win the person a grand prize, which will be given away during the midnight closing ceremonies. Winners must be present.
In 2016, 45 teams and 316 registered participants, came out to Relay For Life, helping to raise about $165,500 for the organization. Throughout the past 19 years, North Worcester County’s Relay has donated more than $1 million to the American Cancer Society.
”The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is a fundraising event for education, patient services, advocacy and research for all cancers,” Hodge said. “All of these issues affect our community. The money we raise through Relay For Life ensures that these lifesaving initiatives will continue to be provided in Worcester County.”
Relay For Life’s 2017 opening ceremony kicks off at 6 p.m. Cancer survivors will walk the ceremonial first lap of the night, the “Survivors’ Lap,” while they are cheered on by other participants in celebration of their victory over cancer.
Survivors will be joined by their caregivers for the second lap of the evening. In honor of Mother’s Day, the third lap is designated to moms.
A reception for cancer survivors hosted by Atlantic General Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center will take place at 6:35 p.m. after the first couple of laps, Dr. Roopa Gupta will speak and DJ Brian K. Hall from the Vault will spin the tunes.
Next, sponsor teams will display their company logos and banners before children walk during the fifth lap.
Attendees are encouraged to enjoy the carnival food and entertainment including Sunshine the Clown.
The Luminaria Ceremony of Remembrance begins at 8:15 p.m. in honor and remembrance of a loved one or friend who has been touched by cancer, Hodge said.
A heartfelt candle-lighting ceremony takes place at dusk with a suggested donation of $10 a bag and $25 a tiki torch, which can be purchased at the event from 4-7:30 p.m.
“Luminaria is the time of our event when we remember,” Hodge said. “Everything gets very quiet as the sun sets and we begin the ceremony. It is a somber and reflective time.”
The Luminaria Ceremony of Remembrance will be presented by the Peninsula Regional Medical Center Richard A. Henson Cancer Institute and Dr. John Mansueti will say a few words.
“The person you are reflecting may still be a survivor, but you are remembering that difficult fight they fought and won,” Dodge said. “Or you are remembering a loved one and how much you miss them.”
Closing ceremonies take place at midnight with a “S’more Hope” bonfire.
“In the opening ceremony, we celebrate our survivors,” Hodge said. “At the end, we dedicate ourselves to continue to fight back.”
For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/northworcestermd or contact Hodge at dawnhodge@comcast.net or 443-497-1198. Search “Relay For Life North Worcester County Maryland” on Facebook.