Photo Courtesy Upper Missouri Relay for Life A crowd walks the track at Cutting Field during a Relay for Life event last year. This year’s Relay for Life is Friday.
Upper Missouri Relay for Life co-chair/survivor chair Donnette Taylor said the group is following the American Cancer Society’s lead to turn Cutting Field in Williston into a birthday party to celebrate each year of life and remember those who have died to cancer.
The event begins with a free-will donation picnic/supper from 5-6:30 p.m.
“We are serving birthday cake as part of the picnic,” Taylor said.
The opening ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m. and includes a survivor walk for those who have survived cancer. This year’s focal cancer is oral cancer, which causes 8,000 deaths in the U.S. a year.
Upper Missouri Relay for Life chair Katie Wyman said the cancer needs recognition because it is often discovered later than other cancers.
The ceremony also includes grand club recognition, for individuals who have raised $1,000 or more last year for the fight against cancer.
Wyman said the money raised goes to a good cause.
“At least 92 cents of every dollar goes to research or education programs that we have here, such as the cancer treatment center,” she said.
Taylor said the money also helps to fund the “Look Good, Feel Good” program, which provides wigs and make-up those those who have been diagnosed with cancer.
Taylor said area hairdressers will work with the newly diagnosed to ensure that their wig is the right cut and style for the person who has been diagnosed.
Those who have been diagnosed with cancer, also have an opportunity to highlight their survival at the event.
“Anyone who has been newly diagnosed or diagnosed years ago can register under the (main) tent to participate in the survivor lap,” Taylor said.
After the survivor lap, committee members will walk the track,
“All of us have a reason to relay,”Taylor said.
The relay also includes a torch, which will be carried around the track for the entirety of the event.
The person who is to carry the torch will either announce their reason for carrying the torch or have it announced for them by an MC.
The birthday theme continues at 8:30 p.m., with teams putting birthday cakes up for auction.
The money garnered from the sale going to the team’s fund-raising total, Taylor said.
One big change at this year’s Relay for Life is more games, which kick off at midnight and are slated to occur every half hour, with the final game beginning at 5:30 a.m..
“We should be busy in the middle of the night to keep people awake,” Taylor said.
Chair Katie Wyman said Relay for Life would not be the relay it is without the help of the community.
“We want to stress that it is open to the public,” she said. “We have wonderful community support.”
To help with the event or to donate, e-mail uppermissourirelay@yahoo.com, visit uppermissourirelay.org or call Katie at 570-7350.
To help at the event, visit the main tent on Friday.
UPPER MISSOURI RELAY FOR LIFE
JULY 30, 2010
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS at cutting field
5-6:30 p.m. ” Team, survivor and sponsor registration, picnic/supper, free will donation. Everyone is welcome. Jump-N-Fun inflatables
5-9 p.m. ” “Picture a Cure” Come tell your story
5-10:30 p.m. ” Silent auction
5 p.m. - 12 a.m. ” Relay store
5 p.m. - 7 a.m. ” Team booths / activities open
All booths and activities will be closed during opening ceremonies 6:30-8 p.m.
6:30 p.m. ” Opening ceremony, presentation of colors, hall of fame recognition, friend of the relay recognition, grand club presentation, corporate sponsor recognition, survivor lap, luminaria lantern release, introductions of teams
7:45 p.m. ” Miss Relay contest
7:45 p.m. ” Bring cakes for auction to main tent
8:30 p.m. ” Birthday cake auction
9:30 p.m.” Luminaria lighting ceremony with Circle of Hope followed by the Human Chain of Hope
10:30 p.m. ”Fireworks “ Courtesy of TNT Fireworks
11 p.m. ” Sign-up for Games - Space is limited
12 a.m. ” Hip Hop
12:30 a.m. ” Twister
1 a.m. ” Musical Chairs
1:30 a.m. ” Minute to Win It “ Kleenex Pull
2 a.m.” Foot Puttin’
2:30 a.m. ” Minute to Win It “ Pop Can Shoot
3 a.m. ” Toilet Plunger
3:30 a.m. ” Bingo
4 a.m.” Hula Hula
4:30 a.m. ” Jenga
5 a.m. ” Project Runway
5:30 a.m. ” Zumba
6 a.m. ” Luminaria Clean-Up
7 a.m. ” Breakfast
7:30 a.m. ” Awards Ceremony & Sunrise Giveaway
8 a.m. ” Final Lap & Clean Up
Schedule subject to change, possibly without prior notice
All activities are weather permitting
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