Relay for Life kicks off with party

Organizers, volunteers and cancer survivors came together last Thursday night to celebrate 25 years of Relay For Life and and to kick off the 2009 season.

Cake and hot apple cider were available while event organizers shared information about volunteer opportunities, sponsorship, survivorship, and youth involvement.

Laptop computers were available for online registration and luminaria bags were available for purchase for anyone wishing to honor a loved one.

Door prizes were raffled off and a multi-media presentation detailing the history of Relay For Life was shown throughout the evening. "I'm so pleased to see the number of survivors that came," said event co-chair, Michelle Yalch. "They are at the heart of what we do."

This year's Relay For Life will be held June 19-20 at Eastside Park in Mountain Home. A Survivors' Reception will begin at 6 p.m. followed by the opening ceremonies, during which local cancer survivors make the first lap of the event. The Luminaria Ceremony will be held at 11 p.m. and the Fight Back Ceremony will conclude the 12-hour Relay at 7 a.m.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's signature event, raising funds to fight cancer. One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The funds raised at Relay For Life fund cancer research, early detection and prevention education, as well as advocacy efforts and patient services.

"Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day cancer will be eliminated," organizers said.

Discounted Early Bird registration has been extended until Feb. 28. Cancer survivors interested in being honored during the Survivors' Reception should contact Cece Bracy at 587-9510 or Ruby Closson at 599-2830. Luminaria bags to honor a loved one are available for $5 each online or through Deedee Devol at 587-3357. For more information visit www.HopeForCureNow.com or contact Adrion Bell at 580-9453.