Relay for Life
36 teams hope to top $87,000 in search for cancer cure

During the last few weeks, residents of Cherokee County have been gearing up and raising money for the 2008 Relay for Life. Teams have already raised $77,000 from garage sales, bake sales, raffles, photo shoots and even a day at the lake complete with live music and picnics. All of these events were held in order to raise money for the fight against cancer.

The big day for the Cherokee County Relay for Life will begin Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m. and end Saturday, April 26 at 7 a.m. The event will be held at Mauldin Field on the campus of Jacksonville High School. All of the money raised by Relay for Life supports the American Cancer Society's cancer research, education, advocacy and patient service programs.

Last year more than 30 teams came together to raise more than $87,000 and honor 142 survivors at the event. Because of that success, organizers have high expectations for 2008.

Approximately 36 teams and 278 participants are signed up to walk the night away. Some of the teams include Jacksonville Middle School, Lexington Place, Lon Morris College, Rusk High School and Rusk Junior High and many more.

Signs l are popping up all over Cherokee County to promote the Relay for Life walk, which will be held 7 p.m. Friday at Jacksonville High School's Mauldin Field.

Each team is responsible for raising pledges for the relay. Even though helping the fight against cancer is enough incentive for the team members, prizes are also awarded for the teams that raise the

most money in three different categories.

Categories include youth, corporate and friends and family. The average money raised per person is figured, and the highest average per person team wins the prize.

Additional awards include the most money raised by an individual, the best decorated camp site and the team spirit award. The camp sites offer a place for team members to rest during the event, which lasts all night to represent the fact that cancer is a disease that never sleeps.

As night falls on the event, the track is illuminated by the glow of lighted bags called luminaria. Each luminaria represents a person who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to be touched by that person. Some of the bags honor and celebrate the survivorship of that person and the rest of the bags honor and commemorate the lives lost to cancer.

Cancer statistics

The American Cancer Society is a nationwide community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives from cancer and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service, said Cynthia Kline, event organizer.

The American Cancer Society reports that in 2008 an estimated 97,281 Texans will be diagnosed with cancer, meaning that more than 266 people in Texas will be diagnosed with the disease per day. Approximately 38,037 Texans, or 104 per day, will die from cancer this year.

How the Relay got started

In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Wash. colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office. Dr. Klatt decided he would raise money by doing something he enjoyed, running marathons. In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium on the campus of the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran an amazing 83 miles over the course of that time. Throughout the night, friends of Dr. Klatt paid $25 each to run or walk with him for 30 minutes. The first year nearly 300 people watched him as he raised $27,000.

As Dr. Klatt circled the track throughout the night, he tried to come up with ways for other people to take part in his event. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event. Months after his first run, he formed a small committee to plan the first team relay event. The event at that time was known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer. In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first relay on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and the event raised over $33,000.

The one-man relay that began in 1985 has become a nationwide event, known as Relay For Life. Since 1986, teams and individuals have come together to celebrate those who have survived cancer, remember those who were lost to cancer and fight back against a disease that touches too many lives.

It's not too late to participate

in the relay this weekend There is no cost to form a team for the event or for joining an existing team.

For more information about the local fund-raiser, e-mail Cherokee County Relay for Life at cherokeerelayforlife@ yahoo.com or contact Mrs. Kline at (903) 795-3604.