It's Sign-up Time for Relay for Life

Each year, more than 4 million people in over 20 countries raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the Relay for Life.

In Sequoyah County, the Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 24 at the Roland City Park.

Amy Nall of People Inc. in Sallisaw is this year's Relay for Life chairman.

She said the relay is now a three-hour event instead of an all-night affair.

"It has been at Roland for several years because their city park is very kid friendly," Nall said. "It's a relatively small track so the cancer survivors can walk laps easily and it has a great playground and covered areas."

Nall and committee member Lisa Holt said, "Almost everyone has been affected by cancer in some way and here at People Inc. we have lost two long-term employees in the past three years. This is a great way to honor coworkers or family members.

"You don't necessarily have to raise money," the organizers said. "The American Cancer Society just asks that each walker pay a $10 fee."

Teams are encouraged to raise money if they wish and Nall and Holt made suggestions.

"There are easy ways you can raise money-such as possibly setting up a donation jar at your business or selling luminaries to honor loved ones to light up the park on the night of the relay. We also have moons and stars that people can purchase for $1 and put on a wall in honor or memory of someone who has cancer or has battled cancer."

Other fundraisers have included Nalls' own team M&M's Plum Pretty, hamburger and hot dog cookouts, Kiss a Pig, Pie in the Face, breakfasts, brunches or lunches, passing a boot which cheerleaders will be doing this year, or luminaries to honor those who have battled cancer and won or lost.

Nall said a survivors' dinner will be held from 5 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 24 at the Waylon Jones Complex, and the survivors' lap will be at 6 p.m.

"We will also have games throughout the event," she said.

Anyone interested in being a corporate sponsor or having a team, please contact either Holt or lholt@peopleinc.org or Nall or anall@peopleinc.org.  Anyone wishing to volunteer for the organizing committee may also contact Holt or Nall at the same email address. Teams may also sign up at the Relay for Life website by clicking on the Sign Up button and entering an address and zip code.

Nall concluded, "We'd like for the Relay for Life to get back to being a really large event. We appreciate any assistance we can get from the community!"

Sally Maxwell, Senior News Director

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