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Money raised locally

By Staff | Jun 9, 2010

June 25 is the big day set aside for the Relay for Life of Tyler County event which will be held at Tyler Consolidated High School’s Knight Stadium from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.

Chairman Toni VanCamp and co-chair Patty Henthorn said this year’s Relay in Tyler County is shaping up to be a very successful event.

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Although every Relay For Life is different, there are certain traditions at all Relays, no matter where they are held. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember, and fight back.

Celebrate: The Survivors Lap – Relay starts with a Survivors Lap, an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories we’ve achieved over cancer. The Survivors Lap is an emotional example of how Relay participants are creating a world with more birthdays like those of each individual on the track.

Remember: The Luminaria Ceremony – After dark, people who have been touched by cancer are honored and those loved ones lost to the disease are remembered during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.

Fight back: The Fight Back Ceremony – Last, there is a Fight Back Ceremony, where a personal commitment to save lives by taking up the fight against cancer is made.

No matter where you are, there is a place for you at Relay you can make a difference today by starting your own team or by simply making a donation.

Thanks to Relay participants, a world with more birthdays, a world where cancer cannot claim another year of anyone’s life is being created.

Locally, Relay teams have been working non-stop to raise both funds and awareness for the cause, including both Elementary Schools in the county. “To go with the ‘a world with more birthdays’ theme this year, we made huge paper birthday cake posters for both Boreman and Sistersville Elementary and all the kids that participated signed them,” Henthorn said. “The kids have really worked hard and we appreciate them so much.”

The Relay for Life of Tyler County set a goal of having 18 Relay teams participating in this years event, and that goal was met with exactly 18 teams signing up to take part: Agnus Dei, Angels of HOPE in Action, Bankers for Life, Boreman Bobcats, Cops and Robbers, Indian Creek Southern Baptist Church, Laps of Love, Miracle Walkers, Par Mar Crew Against Cancer, Phase 10, Sistersville Center, Sistersville First Christian Church, Sistersville Police Department, Star Brites, Star Lites, The Purple Misfits, The Squires, and the Wings of Hope 5th/6th grade.

“We had eight new teams join our 10 already formed teams,” said co-chair Henthorn.

The top teams thus far are the Boreman Bobcats who have raised more than $2,000; the Star Brites with just over $1,100; the Squires, $871; the Indian Creek Southern Baptist Church, $863.61; and the Purple Misfits, $771.50.

More local survivors are needed to participate in this years local event and are encouraged to call Hattie Williams at 304-652-2216 or register online at www.main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY10SA. National and local information can be found at this website, and individuals wanting to donate can do so from here as well.

At the Relay for Life of Tyler County event, entertainment has been scheduled to take place during the night, including: Karaoke with the Karaoke Konnection; Tina and Eastham and Bryan Worst; Rising of the Fallen (band); and DJ Aaron Yoho.

Dave Powers, magician, will also be featured during the night’s activities from 11:15 until midnight. The magic of Dave Powers is not a traditional magic show. He does not dress in top hat and cape, nor does he present the same tired old tricks that have been seen a thousand times. Powers presents a family show that has won several national awards and been featured in Paramount Movie Studio’s Theme Parks.

Several activities including a scavenger hunt, a frozen T-shirt contest, a coloring contest and a water balloon toss.

Also, several items will be raffled off throughout the night. Raffle tickets will cost $1 each or six for $5, and winners must be present to win. A few of the items being raffled include: Gift certificate from the Bellaire Toy and Plastic Brick Museum; two complimentary tickets from the Center of Science and Industry; a free sitting fee and free package valued at $95 from the G & C Photography; a gift certificate for an XL pizza from Auggie’s Pizza in Middlebourne; pool passes from the Sistersville City Pool; and items from S & S Jewelry, Fox’s gym; Sistersville IGA, Did’s Design, and Momentive.

The next meeting of the Relay for Life of Tyler County is June 21 at the Sistersville First United Methodist Church. Committee’s will meet at 6 p.m. and team captain/participants will meet at 7 p.m.