Families and Friends of Ann Arbor Use Hearts and Feet to Fight Cancer

Posted: Jun 13, 2012 at 2:57 PM [Jun 13, 2012]

(ANN ARBOR, MI) --Walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the 8^th annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Ann Arbor gets underway with teams of residents gathering at Washtenaw Community College on June 23 at 10am.

Relay For Life events are held overnight as individuals and teams camp out with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track at all times throughout the event. Teams do most of their fundraising prior to the event, but teams also hold creative fundraisers at their campsites during Relay. Relay is a fun event that brings together friends, families, businesses, hospitals, schools, and faith-based groups – people from all walks of life – to further the American Cancer Society’s efforts to save lives by helping people stay well, by helping them get well, by finding cures and by fighting back.

All are welcome to join the event at the beautiful Washtenaw Community College Community Park. You can register online or just come, walk a few laps to remember someone lost to cancer or celebrate your own or a friend of family member’s survivorship. Enjoy the free entertainment offered throughout the day, including:

Opening Ceremony at 10am
Jetty Rae performing at 11am
Kid’s Zone Tent
Silent Auction
Games
Movies
DJ music
Fight back Ceremony at 2pm
Remember those battling and those lost at the Luminaria Ceremony at 9:30pm

For a full schedule, visit relayforlife.org/annarbormi.

Funds raised at Relay For Life of Ann Arbor enable the American Cancer Society to impact the lives of those touched by cancer within the community through programs like Road to Recovery, which provides free transportation to and from treatment for cancer patients; Reach to Recovery, a program that pairs breast cancer patients with trained survivors to offer support and advice; clinical trials matching service; and access to live-saving information at any hour day or night.

Candles in luminaria bags bearing the name of someone who has battled cancer will light the track beautifully throughout the night. Relay For Life’s Luminaria Ceremony takes place after sundown, honoring the community’s cancer survivors and remembering those lost to the disease. Luminaria may be purchased for $10 by visiting relayforlife.org/annarbormi or decorate your own bag at the event.

“Relay is a unique opportunity for our community to come together to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember those we’ve lost, and fight back against the disease,” said (Lisa Rayner, event chair). “Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that Ann Arbor is not immune to this disease and that by participating in Relay, we are joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”

Join us, donate, or learn more at relayforlife.org/annarbormi. Hope to see you there!