(May 5, 2016) Hundreds of participants will gather at the Frontier Town Campground, off Route 611 in Berlin, Friday, May 6, for the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay For Life, which celebrates beating cancer, remembers loved ones who lost their battle and shows support for those currently fighting the disease.
The 2016 North Worcester County Relay For Life is an all-night walk kicking off at 6 p.m. at Stephen Decatur Middle School in Berlin. Because of rain forecasted for this week, organizers have moved the evening portion of Relay For Life indoors.
At 10 p.m., the event is slated to continue at Frontier Town with more activities, the sunrise celebration and closing ceremonies.
“People in our community get together and donate their time and money while we try to find an end to cancer,” said Dawn Hodge, event co-chairwoman.
The theme for this year’s overnight celebration is “Maryland Strong: Fighting Cancer from the Beaches to the Mountains.”
“We picked the theme in honor of Gov. Larry Hogan being diagnosed with cancer,” Hodge said. “It’s all about strength and what gives you the strength to be a survivor or to participate in Relay For Life.”
Although it may rain, each team will have its own campsite with water and electricity, courtesy of Frontier Town.
Individuals and teams can register at the event starting at 4 p.m. and there is no fee to participate.
As of Wednesday morning, 44 teams with 232 participants have signed up. Relay For Life will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and continue until 6 a.m. Saturday.
The goal for 2016 is to have 130 survivors in attendance and to generate $195,000 for the American Cancer Society. Approximately $105,607 had been raised as of Monday, Hodge said.
“More than 1.6 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year,” Hodge said. “The American Cancer Society is the second largest donor of research dollars and money stays local through programs in the area.”
Participants have until Aug. 31 to submit their final donations and there is an Eastern Shore golf tournament slated for Sept. 3 at the Ocean City Golf Club, which will benefit the American Cancer Society, she said.
Road to Recovery and Look Good Feel Better are two programs cancer patients in the area utilize through donations from events such as Relay For Life.
During the 12-hour fundraiser, team members will take turns walking laps around the campground track and organizers strive for each team to have at least one member taking a lap on the track throughout the night.
Every time a registered participant walks a full lap, they receive a ticket, which will enter them into a drawing for an overnight stay for two at The Edge or Lighthouse Club hotels owned by John Fager.
The lucky participant will be announced at the 6 a.m. closing ceremonies and they must be present to win.
In 2015, 41 teams and 310 registered participants, came out to Relay For Life, helping to raise about $165,500 for the organization. Throughout the past 18 years, North Worcester County’s Relay has donated more than $1 million to the American Cancer Society.
Relay for Life’s 2016 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 for moms, and the fourth lap will honor breast cancer survivors. Sponsors are recognized during the fifth lap.
A reception for cancer survivors will take place at 6:30 p.m. after the first couple of laps, with music provided by DJ Brian K. Hall from Adams Group on Delmarva.
An abundance of children’s activities with prizes for participants will be taking place from 7-8:15 p.m. including spoon races, bean bag toss, a sandy treasure hunt, beach ball bowling, limbo, sticky tic-tac-toe and neon ping pong toss, just to name a few.
Julie Littleton was the children’s activities coordinator this year and is a stage four colon cancer survivor.
“She made beautiful ribbons for all our survivors and they are amazing,” Hodge said.
Children will be invited to make crafts at the survivor tent from 9-10 p.m.
“From 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., participants can request a song by donating money,” Hodge said. “I am excited and think we can raise a lot more money. You pay to play anything you want and can dedicate songs to people. It will be a lot of fun.”
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.
“Everyone gets to celebrate and remember loved ones,” Hodge said. “Each person in our committee will present something different. One person lost their father and Julie will talk about what it means to be a survivor and the support of her family.”
A sunrise celebration will take place at 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning, with closing ceremonies following at 5:45 a.m.
“For anyone who hasn’t been, come, have fun and don’t worry about donations,” Hodge said. “Enjoy spending time with other survivors and you will be hooked like our other participants who come back year after year.”
For more information, contact co-chair Jill Elliott or Hodge at chilly@dmv.com, dawnhodge@comcast.net or 410-430-8131, 443-497-1198 or visit www.relayforlife.org/northworcestermd.
Search “Relay For Life North Worcester County Maryland” on Facebook.
Approximately four million people participate annually in Relay for Life in more than 5,200 communities. Relay takes place not only in the U.S., but in more than 20 countries as well.
The 2016 North Worcester County Relay For Life is an all-night walk kicking off at 6 p.m. at Stephen Decatur Middle School in Berlin. Because of rain forecasted for this week, organizers have moved the evening portion of Relay For Life indoors.
At 10 p.m., the event is slated to continue at Frontier Town with more activities, the sunrise celebration and closing ceremonies.
“People in our community get together and donate their time and money while we try to find an end to cancer,” said Dawn Hodge, event co-chairwoman.
The theme for this year’s overnight celebration is “Maryland Strong: Fighting Cancer from the Beaches to the Mountains.”
“We picked the theme in honor of Gov. Larry Hogan being diagnosed with cancer,” Hodge said. “It’s all about strength and what gives you the strength to be a survivor or to participate in Relay For Life.”
Although it may rain, each team will have its own campsite with water and electricity, courtesy of Frontier Town.
Individuals and teams can register at the event starting at 4 p.m. and there is no fee to participate.
As of Wednesday morning, 44 teams with 232 participants have signed up. Relay For Life will begin at 6 p.m. Friday and continue until 6 a.m. Saturday.
The goal for 2016 is to have 130 survivors in attendance and to generate $195,000 for the American Cancer Society. Approximately $105,607 had been raised as of Monday, Hodge said.
“More than 1.6 million people in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer this year,” Hodge said. “The American Cancer Society is the second largest donor of research dollars and money stays local through programs in the area.”
Participants have until Aug. 31 to submit their final donations and there is an Eastern Shore golf tournament slated for Sept. 3 at the Ocean City Golf Club, which will benefit the American Cancer Society, she said.
Road to Recovery and Look Good Feel Better are two programs cancer patients in the area utilize through donations from events such as Relay For Life.
During the 12-hour fundraiser, team members will take turns walking laps around the campground track and organizers strive for each team to have at least one member taking a lap on the track throughout the night.
Every time a registered participant walks a full lap, they receive a ticket, which will enter them into a drawing for an overnight stay for two at The Edge or Lighthouse Club hotels owned by John Fager.
The lucky participant will be announced at the 6 a.m. closing ceremonies and they must be present to win.
In 2015, 41 teams and 310 registered participants, came out to Relay For Life, helping to raise about $165,500 for the organization. Throughout the past 18 years, North Worcester County’s Relay has donated more than $1 million to the American Cancer Society.
Relay for Life’s 2016 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 for moms, and the fourth lap will honor breast cancer survivors. Sponsors are recognized during the fifth lap.
A reception for cancer survivors will take place at 6:30 p.m. after the first couple of laps, with music provided by DJ Brian K. Hall from Adams Group on Delmarva.
An abundance of children’s activities with prizes for participants will be taking place from 7-8:15 p.m. including spoon races, bean bag toss, a sandy treasure hunt, beach ball bowling, limbo, sticky tic-tac-toe and neon ping pong toss, just to name a few.
Julie Littleton was the children’s activities coordinator this year and is a stage four colon cancer survivor.
“She made beautiful ribbons for all our survivors and they are amazing,” Hodge said.
Children will be invited to make crafts at the survivor tent from 9-10 p.m.
“From 11 p.m. to 5 a.m., participants can request a song by donating money,” Hodge said. “I am excited and think we can raise a lot more money. You pay to play anything you want and can dedicate songs to people. It will be a lot of fun.”
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.
“Everyone gets to celebrate and remember loved ones,” Hodge said. “Each person in our committee will present something different. One person lost their father and Julie will talk about what it means to be a survivor and the support of her family.”
A sunrise celebration will take place at 5:30 a.m. Saturday morning, with closing ceremonies following at 5:45 a.m.
“For anyone who hasn’t been, come, have fun and don’t worry about donations,” Hodge said. “Enjoy spending time with other survivors and you will be hooked like our other participants who come back year after year.”
For more information, contact co-chair Jill Elliott or Hodge at chilly@dmv.com, dawnhodge@comcast.net or 410-430-8131, 443-497-1198 or visit www.relayforlife.org/northworcestermd.
Search “Relay For Life North Worcester County Maryland” on Facebook.
Approximately four million people participate annually in Relay for Life in more than 5,200 communities. Relay takes place not only in the U.S., but in more than 20 countries as well.