Unique event helps fight against cancer
It’s a moving scene.
With luminaria candles lining the track in the darkness, participants are likely reminded of the purpose of their all-night efforts. Some will walk, others will jog the half-mile oval at Asa Wood Elementary School as part of a unique fundraiser to fight cancer.
Relay For Life returns to Libby for the second straight year. The marathon event begins at 6 p.m. Friday and continues until 7 a.m., the following morning.
“For our first year, we had no clue what we were doing, which was scary,” said Keith Meyers, one of the local volunteers helping with the event. “And we raised I think $42,000, which is way above and beyond what we hoped or dreamt.”
Although still fairly new to Lincoln County, Relay For Life is actually very popular with approximately 4,800 events going on around the nation. Besides raising money for the American Cancer Society, the event serves as a way to celebrate survivors, remember loved ones and recognize the efforts of caregivers.
For 12-plus hours through the night, teams of participants make their way around the track.
“The teams are ideally from five to 15 people and they commit to keeping somebody on the track all night long,” Meyers said. “The team members, their goal is to raise at least $100 apiece.”
The fund-raising is completed before the relay begins. Participants solicit donations from friends, relatives, businesses and anyone else willing to contribute. When Relay For Life night arrives, the walking begins. Meyers said one female participant last year walked 56 laps – equivalent to 28 miles.
“And she boogied the whole time,” he added. “It was pretty impressive.”
The event is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m., with Logan Anderson’s rendition of the National Anthem. Opening ceremonies follow as cancer survivors take the first lap. Like the luminarias, it’s a sight that sets the tone for the evening.
Next, caregivers take a lap – those unsung heroes who do their part in the fight against cancer. Meyers said the relay would likely get started at around 6:30.
As of Tuesday, 27 teams were signed up to take part, although Meyers said that number could go up or down as Friday arrives. Each team features five to 15 participants.
Relay For Life is more than walking around a track, however. Entertainment, games and food complete the atmosphere. Meyers has four bands lined up – Sarah Henderson and the Front Porch Band out of Eureka, the Back Adit Band, Dave Blackburn and the Sheldon Mountain Boys, and Les Moore – all of those from the Libby-Troy area.
The fun is not intended only for relay participants and others associated with the event.
“The public is absolutely welcome to come down. There’s no cost to get in, there’s all sorts of games, all sorts of food you can purchase,” Meyers said. “Just come down and join the fun.”
The music is expected to go on until midnight. Karaoke, a movie showing and other activities will follow.
“We’ll wrap up things by 8 o’clock,” Meyers said about Saturday morning. “We’ll have all kinds of raffles and things to give to team members.”
Items to be raffled off to the public include a hickory rocking chair, queen-size quilt and a half-day float trip. Raffle tickets can be purchased at Timberline Auto, Sue Bee’s Quilting, Hava Java, Cabin Fever Coffee and at the Relay For Life itself.
“It’s certainly an excellent cause,” Meyers said. “We all have to chip in a little bit out of our pockets to get this thing whipped. … If we don’t do it, nobody’s going to do it. We’re working on it.”