Community Corner

'Relay for Life' Races to Cure Cancer

Local 'Relay' takes place at Roswell High School, April 29-30.

Maybe you've never heard of Relay for Life, or maybe it only sounds vaguely familiar. Whatever your knowledge of the American Cancer Society's internationally recognized fundraiser, you've definitely heard of the Relay's mission: to cure cancer.

Now in its 9th year, the Roswell Relay for Life is one of 5,000 Relays around the world which benefit the American Cancer Society's research, programs and services by raising money via an all-night walkathon.

It's an event where time spent with friends and family can lead to potentially saving lives—maybe even the lives of those walking this year.

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Teams made up of schools, clubs, churches, friends and families set up campsites decorated in a theme, which, this year, is "More Birthdays" with the idea that the Relay will be one big birthday party for the community. Activities and entertainment support the party atmosphere. A luminary ceremony and a "Battle of the Bands" ensure participants won't fall asleep bored during the 12-hour event, which goes from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. 

But, perhaps the most important part of the event is the all-night walking, which symbolizes the constant battle fought by cancer patients. At least one person from each team walks around the track until someone else from the team relieves them—hence the term, "relay." Participants raise money for the walking they'll do prior to the event and some even sell items from their campsites during the Relay to bring in every last cent they can.

Find out what's happening in Roswellwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The group raised $142,000 last year, but this year they've set their sights on raising $150,000. 

To get involved in this year's Relay, sign up to join a team, or create your own. Each participant is expected to raise at least $100. If participating in the actual event isn't possible for you, sign up as a sponsor or make an individual donation, either to a team, participant or to the silent auction.

This year's Relay will be held at track on the evening of Friday, April 29 at 6 p.m. and continuing through the night until the morning of Saturday, April 30 at 6 a.m. 

For more information, contact Event Co-Chairs Katha Stuart at 404-660-9659 or Sheila Vahey at 770-714-5201 or via e-mail at roswellrelay@gmail.com.


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