(June 8, 2017) Honoring those who are currently, or have previously, fought cancer, all while raising funds to support medical research, is the focus of the South Worcester County Relay For Life event this Saturday at the Great Pocomoke Fairgrounds on 2003 Broad Street.
Although the American Cancer Society sponsors Relay For Life events in about 5,200 communities in 27 countries, according to Mary Bellis, senior community manager-Relay For Life of South Worcester County, the event on Saturday has more of a down-home feel than many.
“It’s a lot more intimate, because Pocomoke is small,” she said. “Most people are actually from Pocomoke.”
Following the opening ceremony at 4 p.m., Bellis said the first lap at Relay For Life events is reserved for cancer survivors. Those who are not physically able to walk may ride on a golf cart, she said.
Next up is the caregivers’ lap, dedicated to those who provide a vital support system for people facing life challenges.
“The caregivers join in, because without caregivers we wouldn’t have as many survivors,” she said.
As more individuals join the course, Bellis said organizers make it simple to distinguish survivors from supporters.
“All survivors get a special purple t-shirt, so they’re easily recognizable,” she said.
As day begins to fade, Bellis said the next phase of the event is the Luminaria, where participants illuminate white paper sacks decorated in honor of an individual who was impacted by cancer.
“Everyone has a name in honor of, or in memory of, someone with cancer," she said.
During this part of the evening, Bellis said the fairground lights would be turned off to increase the visual impact.
“We have a special lap that’s quiet to let people reflect,” she said.
Later that evening, Bellis said the 16 registered teams who are working to match or exceed the roughly $28,000 raised last year would compete in a glow-run using vehicles constructed of cardboard. As of press time, teams and individuals had collected more than $14,000 for the effort.
The Eastern Shore Cruisers, who have assembled a team for the event, will also provide entertainment, Bellis said.
Garnering community support for the long-running event is not a challenge, Bellis said.
“We’ve got musicians coming [and] we’ve got students who will be preforming,” she said. “Lynnhaven Baptist Church will cater the reception.”
Although Bellis has been involved with the fundraiser for at least a decade, she noted the event in south Worcester County predates her involvement.
“I think we’re coming up on 20 years,” she said.
Although sunshine is suppose to be on tap for Saturday, Bellis said in the event of inclement weather the festivities would be moved indoors to Pocomoke Middle School.
Bellis said the mission of the ACS is to provide support for cancer researchers by connecting them with resources.
“The American Cancer Society is the largest funder of cancer research besides the federal government,” she said.
While federal funding provided by the National Institutes of Health primarily supports peer-reviewed researchers, Bellis said ACS typically finances less experienced experts.
“If you’re new nobody knows you,” she said. “We (ACS) have funded 47 researchers that have gone on to win a Nobel Prize.”
In small communities like Pocomoke, Bellis said a neighbor facing a battle with cancer rarely does so in private.
“When somebody is sick everyone knows,” she said.
Although larger urban areas raise larger overall totals, Bellis said in Pocomoke nearly everyone gives a little something.
“The area it draws from is fairly compact, but they’re very passionate about it,” she said. “I know kids who relayed as students and now they are relaying as adults.”
The Relay For Life event will run until about midnight on Saturday, and donations will be accepted until the end of August. Donations can be made online by visiting Relayforlife.org/southworcester.
Although the American Cancer Society sponsors Relay For Life events in about 5,200 communities in 27 countries, according to Mary Bellis, senior community manager-Relay For Life of South Worcester County, the event on Saturday has more of a down-home feel than many.
“It’s a lot more intimate, because Pocomoke is small,” she said. “Most people are actually from Pocomoke.”
Following the opening ceremony at 4 p.m., Bellis said the first lap at Relay For Life events is reserved for cancer survivors. Those who are not physically able to walk may ride on a golf cart, she said.
Next up is the caregivers’ lap, dedicated to those who provide a vital support system for people facing life challenges.
“The caregivers join in, because without caregivers we wouldn’t have as many survivors,” she said.
As more individuals join the course, Bellis said organizers make it simple to distinguish survivors from supporters.
“All survivors get a special purple t-shirt, so they’re easily recognizable,” she said.
As day begins to fade, Bellis said the next phase of the event is the Luminaria, where participants illuminate white paper sacks decorated in honor of an individual who was impacted by cancer.
“Everyone has a name in honor of, or in memory of, someone with cancer," she said.
During this part of the evening, Bellis said the fairground lights would be turned off to increase the visual impact.
“We have a special lap that’s quiet to let people reflect,” she said.
Later that evening, Bellis said the 16 registered teams who are working to match or exceed the roughly $28,000 raised last year would compete in a glow-run using vehicles constructed of cardboard. As of press time, teams and individuals had collected more than $14,000 for the effort.
The Eastern Shore Cruisers, who have assembled a team for the event, will also provide entertainment, Bellis said.
Garnering community support for the long-running event is not a challenge, Bellis said.
“We’ve got musicians coming [and] we’ve got students who will be preforming,” she said. “Lynnhaven Baptist Church will cater the reception.”
Although Bellis has been involved with the fundraiser for at least a decade, she noted the event in south Worcester County predates her involvement.
“I think we’re coming up on 20 years,” she said.
Although sunshine is suppose to be on tap for Saturday, Bellis said in the event of inclement weather the festivities would be moved indoors to Pocomoke Middle School.
Bellis said the mission of the ACS is to provide support for cancer researchers by connecting them with resources.
“The American Cancer Society is the largest funder of cancer research besides the federal government,” she said.
While federal funding provided by the National Institutes of Health primarily supports peer-reviewed researchers, Bellis said ACS typically finances less experienced experts.
“If you’re new nobody knows you,” she said. “We (ACS) have funded 47 researchers that have gone on to win a Nobel Prize.”
In small communities like Pocomoke, Bellis said a neighbor facing a battle with cancer rarely does so in private.
“When somebody is sick everyone knows,” she said.
Although larger urban areas raise larger overall totals, Bellis said in Pocomoke nearly everyone gives a little something.
“The area it draws from is fairly compact, but they’re very passionate about it,” she said. “I know kids who relayed as students and now they are relaying as adults.”
The Relay For Life event will run until about midnight on Saturday, and donations will be accepted until the end of August. Donations can be made online by visiting Relayforlife.org/southworcester.