A 24-hour event that raises money for the American Cancer Society will once again be held in Hellertown this weekend.
Relay for Life of Saucon Valley will kick off with an inspiring opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, May 13 in Dimmick Park. The ceremony will include speakers and will be followed by the Survivors’ Lap, during which all cancer survivors present walk a lap around the park.
Over the next 24 hours, teams of Relay participants will continue to walk the course together or individually, “because cancer never sleeps,” Relay’s Mary Ann Grant explained.
One of the highlights of this year’s Relay event will be the Finish the Fight 5K run/walk, which will be held in the park Saturday at 8:30 a.m.
A first-time participant in the race will be Jay Atwell, who will be running to recognize both the 25th anniversary of his mom being cancer-free and his own weight loss.
“I wanted to find a special way to celebrate and recognize my mom’s giant milestone. What better way than to run in the Relay 5K this year in her honor,” he said.
Both Jay and his mother, Ginny Atwell, have been members of Dr. Chris Reilly’s Relay team “Friends in the Fight” since 2009.
“This is my first 5K and I may be the last to finish, but I will finish!” Jay said. “Curing cancer, like running for the first time in a 5K, brings my mom’s favorite saying to mind, ‘A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.’ Step by step, we will win the race!”
“This is truly the type of spirit that lives at our event,” said Grant.
Another highlight of Relay for Life 2016 will be a Garden of Hope featuring handmade tissue paper flowers representing individuals who’ve received a cancer diagnosis or lost the fight. The flowers were made by local schoolchildren and volunteers, and the garden will be a visual representation on display throughout the event, with a ceremony to recognize participants on Saturday at 12:30 p.m.
Food will be available, and entertainment, fundraisers, raffles, games and activities will be offered both days.
See below for the schedule of events and like the Relay for Life of Saucon Valley Facebook page for updates leading up to the event. More information is also available online at www.relayforlife.org (search for “Saucon Valley”).
