Walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer when the Ninth Annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Zionsville begins in Lions Park on Friday.
Set to get underway at 10 a.m., the team event will go on for 24 hours as walkers celebrate, remember and fight back through fundraisers, entertainment and fun for all. Participants will walk in shifts with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the pathway at all times.
“Relay is an opportunity for our community to come together and fight back against cancer,” said Denae Barnett, 2012 event chair. “Many of the participants are cancer survivors, which serves as a reminder that Zionsville is not immune to this disease and that by participating, we are joining with the American Cancer Society’s efforts to create a world with less cancer and more birthdays.”
Also a part of Zionsville’s Relay For Life event is the “Fight Back” Ceremony, in which a community leader will inspire Relay participants with his or her own commitment and will challenge them to take a personal pledge of action, whether it’s stopping smoking, eating more healthily, etc.
Relay For Life’s Luminaria Ceremony takes place after sundown Friday, honoring the community’s cancer survivors, remembering those lost to the disease and paying tribute to caregivers. Participants will circle a track that is surrounded with glowing luminaries that bear the name of someone who has battled cancer.
“Relay For Life draws attention to the progress being made in the fight against cancer,” said Barnett. “Many participants have faced cancer themselves, and their involvement helps bring hope that, together, we can eliminate cancer as a major health problem.”
To find out how to get involved, call 800-227-2345 or visit RelayForLife.org.
Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Akard True Value will put the “heat on cancer” with a bake sale and a hotdog/nacho bar to support Zionsville’s Relay for Life. Cookies, cupcakes, brownies and more will be available for a donation, as will lunch. All of the money raised will go to Relay for Life.