Relay For Life is an event for survivors

SIKESTON -- All-night parties to celebrate surviving cancer and to raise money to fight the disease will be held again in the area as part of the largest fund-raising walk in the nation, the Relay For Life.

Teams of eight to 15 members will gather at places like schools, fairgrounds and parks with tents and sleeping bags. During the event, each team tries to keep at least one member on the track at all times while the others enjoy games, food and entertainment.

"It's kind of a carnival atmosphere throughout the night," said Julie Aycock, community specialist and income development officer for the Scott County Relay For Life.

Teams are forming now for the Scott County event scheduled for 6 p.m. June 3 to 6 a.m. June 4 at the Sikeston Sports Complex, according to Aycock.

"Everyone should participate in some way whether they donate money or services - it's important we get as many people involved as possible," said Julie Heppe, a cancer survivor and event chair for the Scott County Relay for Life.

"Cancer effects everyone in some way. We all at least know someone with cancer. It doesn't discriminate - it can come into any of our lives at any time," Heppe said. "Money raised goes to research, education advocacy and toward cancer patients in the area."

"We'll start off with an opening ceremony and a survivor ceremony to honor cancer survivors," said Aycock of the event. "They take the first lap to start the Relay as we cheer them on for the recognition lap. After the survivors' lap, they have a survivors reception with cake and punch."

All survivors are invited to participate in the walk and reception and will also get a free T-shirt, Aycock said. "Even if they're not finished with their treatment, they are still a survivor," she said. "A survivor is any one who has been diagnosed with cancer."

A live auction will follow from 8-9 p.m. followed by the luminaria ceremony at 9 p.m.

Luminaria, which are bags with candles inside, are available for $5 each and can be purchased in advance at the ACS office or at the event.

"You can buy them in memory of someone who has lost the battle with cancer or in honor of someone who is still fighting the battle," Aycock said.

This is the ninth year for the event in Sikeston, according to Aycock. "Last year we raised a little over $60,000," she said. "We set our goal this year at $90,000. We're hoping to reach it - we have high goals and expectations this year."

In Mississippi County, the Relay For Life for is also set for 6 p.m. June 3 until 6 a.m. June 4 and will be held at the Charleston High School football field.

"This is our second year for the event," said Andrea Story, income specialist fundraising development for Relay For Life for Mississippi County. "Last year we raised over $60,000 and we're looking forward to this year. Our theme this year is "Shoot 'Em Down Cancer.' It's a western theme."

In line with that theme, participants will have the opportunity to learn roping among the many activities.

"There will be lots of games, entertainment - it's going to be an exciting evening," Story said. "There will be a lot of on-site fundraising, a lot of different foods."

The event kicks off in Mississippi County with the Survivor Lap at 6 p.m. as well, "and the Luminaria Ceremony will start at 9 p.m.," Story confirmed.

"We are just urging people to come out and give us their support," Story said. "We want people to come out and enjoy the night with us, take part in the festivities for a second year."

She noted this event involves the whole county. "It takes the community to take up the fight against cancer," Story said.

In New Madrid County, the Relay For Life will be held one week later June 10

-11 at the New Madrid County Central High School with opening ceremonies scheduled for 6 p.m. June 10.

"This is our fifth year," said Ed Thomason, communications chairman for the New Madrid County event. "We're sort of celebrating it as a big deal. The last few years we've been able to raise over $110,000 each year. The first year it was like $60,000, then it was $100,000 then it got up around $110,000."

Thomason said people have wondered how New Madrid County is able to bring so much money in given the county's population. "We have a lot of cancer in this area," he said, "and a lot of cancer survivors. We try to treat them real special. ... The luminaria ceremony is really touching."

For more information or to register a team in Scott County call 471-1823.

Call ACS at 573-334-9197 for information or to register in Mississippi County.

To register or for more information on the event in New Madrid County, call 573-748-2179.