This year marked the first year that Caroline paired up with western Hanover to participate in Relay For Life. This past Saturday, June 17, people from all over Hanover and Caroline County gathered at the Kings Dominion Camp Wilderness and celebrated all around the campsite to help raise money for cancer research and recognize the individuals who have faced or who are currently facing cancer.
From both Caroline and Hanover, there were many teams that came out to participate in Relay and help raise money for The American Cancer Society. From Caroline, some of the teams included the “Frog Level Wild Things,” McKesson, who was also a sponsor for the Relay For Life event, and the Reedy Church Ruritan Club. From Hanover, some of the teams included Noni Hugs, Slash Christian Church, Salem Church “Happy Feet,” Hopeful Baptist Church, and Mount Olivet Friends.
Although rain and storms were in the forecast, the rain held off and did not put a halt to the festivities. The event took place from four in the afternoon and lasted until ten with many ceremonies and events taking place. When the event started, the opening ceremony consisted of taking a lap around the campsite where they honored those who have been affected by cancer whether they are a survivor or are currently battling cancer.
Following the opening ceremony, the event honored the survivors with the Survivor’s Lap and recognized all the obstacles they had to endure along with the courage they displayed that can help inspire others who are battling cancer currently. After the survivor’s lap, the caregiver’s were recognized during the Caregiver’s Lap for being their for a loved one who has been affected by cancer and serving as a light during their battle.
Around nine p.m., everyone took part in the Ceremony where participants placed Luminaria bags around the campsite to represent a loved one who has past from cancer, those who are affected, and the survivors.
With Caroline and the western part of Hanover combined, the two counties were able to raise over $21,000 for The American Cancer Society that will be contributed to cancer research, patient care programs and education and awareness programs. The planning for the event took around ten months. “We started planning in October and it takes about ten month, once a month planning meetings,” shares Arlene Hayes, the chairman for Relay for western Hanover.
Relay For Life serves as a event that helps raise money and awareness of how cancer affects all of us whether we are the ones battling, have a loved one or know someone battling, or those who have survived their cancer battle. Relay also serves as a way to bring a community together and help contribute to the education, awareness and research of cancer that can help prevent and end the disease.
Relay For Life has served as a fundraising event for the American Cancer Society for many years and has been an event that has taken place all around the world. No matter whether a donation is big or small, the money raised and the more people who participate in Relay helps make a huge impact on the lives affected by cancer.
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