By Renee Larr
More than 20 teams are planning to spend 12 hours walking the track at Lions Park beginning at noon June 12 during the annual Zionsville Relay for Life. During the event, which benefits the American Cancer Society, participants take turns walking around the track, which will be lined with booths raising funds by selling food, crafts and candy.
“Relay for Life is a really life-changing experience for a lot of people – for survivors that come for the 10th time or the first time,” said Felisha Clark, community manager for Relay for Life. “We celebrate them, we remember those that we’ve lost during our luminaria ceremony and we have a lot of fun throughout the day.”
Event registration is free but each team is asked to raise at least $100 per person. The funds raised go toward cancer research and programs benefiting cancer patients. Such programs include Road to Recovery, where cancer patients are taken to and from their treatments. Another program called Look Good Feel Better assists women finding wigs and styling them.
“Those programs are so important for people facing cancer, but I always like to say that if we find a cure for cancer we won’t have to fund those programs because they won’t be needed,” Clark said.
The event doesn’t focus on one particular type of cancer to benefit but rather focuses on finding a cure for all cancers.
“We chose the color of purple because purple is the color of hope,” Clark said.
The event is family-friendly with bounce houses for kids, music and games, including a life-sized Jenga. There is a survivor walk for those who have beat cancer.
Last year’s event raised more than $60,000, with the Zionsville event being one of the biggest in the state. For more information or to register for the event visit relayforlife.org.