What are you doing Saturday, April 30? How about helping to raise money and awareness to cure cancer?
The Warren Hills chapter of the National Honor Society is going to participate again in Relay for Life after an absence of three years. Relay for Life is a national fundraiser to help cancer patients and their families during some of their most difficult times.
The all-day event brings together different communities, organizations and fundraising groups, and it encourages people to remember those lives affected by this terrible disease.
For more than 35 years, the American Cancer Society has stood behind Relay for Life in fighting cancer and celebrating survivors. The Warren Hills NHS currently has 12 teams participating in this year’s events, but more are welcome and encouraged to participate.
“I am really looking forward to see how NHS members help bring together the community in this event,” said NHS Executive Board member Thomas Finnegan, a senior. “I am confident we can meet our fundraising goal.”
The NHS is already halfway to its fundraising goal of $5,000.
Warren Hills’ NHS last held a Relay for Life in 2019, on the track at the high school stadium.
Relay for Life helps to raise funds for cancer research, such as clinical trials and cancer prevention.
The day at Warren Hills will consist of fun activities, food, and team competitions, culminating with an emotional after-dark lighting of luminaries, which are candles or other lights placed in an area where participants walk to raise money. Every luminarium at the Relay for Life is a paper lantern that is homemade and unique. It is labeled and decorated with the names of loved ones affected by cancer. The display of these lanterns, which are symbols of hope and remembrance, are followed by a moment of silence to honor those who have lost their lives to this disease.
Food trucks from around the area are also expected to be in attendance.
¨The Relay for Life is going to be an amazing event,” said NHS Adviser and Mathematics Teacher Cheryl O’Melia. “Right now we are selling luminarias for $10 and collecting donations for the American Cancer Society. April 30 our members will spend the day walking.”
There are a number of ways in which to sign up or contribute to the cause. Everyone can go to Relay for Life and build their own team, or contribute money and help fund a team that already exists. More information is available on the Relay for Life website at connect.relayforlife.org.
The day is expected to bring together organizations to build a stronger fundraising community. It will bring caregivers, families and friends the opportunity to inform the general public about the struggles that patients are able to overcome. It will also enable everyone to celebrate and honor survivors.
Relay for Life, which is a national event, brings out many different emotions. Tears of sadness and loss are often accompanied by smiles and laughter of joy and love. Memories and stories of loved ones here and gone often fill the day and go on into the night.
Relay for Life brings together volunteers, caregivers and survivors to create a day that inspires the American Cancer Society’s dream of a future without cancer.
“Funds raised through Relay for Life directly support breakthrough research, 24/7 support for cancer patients, access to lifesaving screenings, and much more,” O’Melia said.