After months of planning and hard work, the final details of the American Cancer Society Okanogan County Relay For Life have all come together and it is time for the opening ceremonies of this year’s event.
The 2008 Okanogan County Relay For Life will be held on Friday and Saturday, May 16-17, 6 p.m. – 10 a.m., at the Okanogan High School track.
“When you start planning an event of this magnitude even before the holidays, you still have this concern in the back of your head that there is so much to do and is there really enough time to get it all done,” says Charleen Groomes, chair of the Okanogan County Relay For Life. “Then, month after month, you slowly see the pieces falling into place: the site gets reserved, the corporate sponsors start coming on board and the teams begin registering. Now with about a week to go the committee is just making sure none of the small details have slipped through the cracks.”
The agenda for this year’s Okanogan County Relay For Life calls for all teams to start setting up their campsites on Friday, beginning at 4 p.m. Cancer survivors who wish to walk in the ceremonial opening lap, should begin checking in at 5 p.m. The opening ceremonies will start at 6 p.m., followed by the survivors lap and reception for both the survivors and their caregivers.
Immediately after the opening festivities, each of the 27 registered teams will be asked to have a member walking the track at all times.
One of the most emotional times of any Relay For Life is the luminaria ceremony. This year’s ceremony is set to begin just after dusk at 9:30 p.m. Traditionally, individuals purchase luminaria in memory of someone who has died of cancer or in honor of someone still courageously fighting the disease. The luminaria are then placed around the track and lit. Then, as the walkers make their way around the track, the names of those remembered are read aloud over the public address system. Luminaria can be purchased from any team member or the evening of the event.
Groomes notes that the upcoming Relay For Life is open to the entire county, and individuals do not have to be part of a team to participate.
“We want everyone to come out, see what Relay For Life is all about, walk a lap or two in honor of a friend, family member, maybe a co-worker, and enjoy an evening in a very safe, family-friendly atmosphere,” says Groomes. “Plus, we have plenty of games and activities planned for the entire family.”
To learn more about the American Cancer Society Okanogan County Relay For Life, contact Charleen Groomes at (509) 429-8283, email: cgroomes@charter.net.
© Copyright 2006 by North Cascades Broadcasting, Inc
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