Relay for Life event hits the courthouse square Saturday

This year’s Relay for Life event will take place from 4-8 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the courthouse square in downtown Rusk. The theme is Destination: the Cure.

Participating teams are encouraged to use a transportation theme in their fundraising events.

Relay for Life began as the fund-raising vision of a one man in 1985. Dr. Gordon Klatt spent 24 hours walking a track in Tacoma, Washington, in order to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The next year, 19 teams took part in the first Relay for Life.

The Relay has grown since its humble beginnings, becoming an annual event with participation across the globe. More than 20 countries now participate according to the website, acsevents.org.
Many participants in Relay for life are fighting cancer, are cancer survivors or are caregivers.

Regina Brown spent 10 years as a hospice social worker, working at the bedside of the dying and with their loved ones.

“I’ve seen the emotional toll that it takes on people,” Brown said. “I’ve seen the people who choose to live life until the end and I’ve seen those people who have chosen to just surrender because they don’t have the strength to fight. I’ve worked with all types of dying people and their families….and cancer is something that affects nine out of 10 families. It doesn’t pick and choose black, white, rich, poor.”

It is her experiences that motivate Brown to take part and continue her participation in Relay for Life.

“It keeps me connected to “this is real;” it’s not something far removed,” Brown commented.

Brown’s team, representing In His Image Minisry, has been involved for six years.

The stated fund-raising goal of Relay for Life of Cherokee County is $100,000. As of Monday, April 29, just over a quarter of the goal had been reached with $25,009.31 raised. The top fund-raising teams include The Transformer, The Mighty Ducts, Kidney Krusaders, Cherokee County Catastrophes, Team FUMC and In His Image Ministry.

Those who desire to register, donate or to obtain more information on the Cherokee County Relay for Life event, visit www.relayforlife.org/cherokeecotx or the Facebook page, Relay for Life of Cherokee County Texas, or contact Judy Sheffield at (936) 634-2940.