Annual Relay for Life to be held Friday, May 5
The annual Relay for Life of Gordon County, the signature event for the American Cancer Society, is set to be held on Friday, May 5 at the Northwest Georgia Regional Fairgrounds, located at 1000 Liberty Road SW in Calhoun. The event begins at 5 p. m. and lasts until 11 p. m. This year’s theme is Hope Around the World.
Many teams have organized for this year’s event, raising money for cancer awareness and research. According to the national Relay for Life website, it is estimated that more than 4 million people in 20 countries worldwide participate through the Relay for Life event each year.
The way Relay works locally, people in Gordon County form teams made up of local churches, businesses, schools, family and friends of those who have fought or are fighting cancer, and they host fundraisers to raise money for Relay.
This year, organizers would like to hold a slideshow to honor those lost to cancer, or those who are still fighting the disease. Photos for the slideshow, along with information on who it is in honor or memory of, should be sent to Relay4LifePhoto@ gmail. com by 5 p. m. Wednesday, May 3.
The event begins with an opening ceremony at 5 p. m., where those affected by cancer will be celebrated, where they’ve been diagnosed recently or cancerfree for year; they will gather together for the crowd to cheer them on.
There will food, games and various entertainment throughout the evening. Those participating set up camp site areas to enjoy the evening and the social interaction.
A Survivor’s Lap, along with a Caregiver’s Lap, will be held at 5: 15 p. m., where those who have survived cancer, along with the caregivers, family and friends of those fighting cancer, walk a special lap around the track.
At 9 p. m., the popular Luminary Ceremony will be held. Each Luminaria bag represents a loved one lost to cancer, brings support to those affected by it and honors survivors. This powerful moment gives people the opportunity to grieve but also offers hope and comfort. These will be lit in honor of someone that is fighting cancer or has fought cancer and won; or in memory of someone who has lost their fight.
The closing ceremony will be held at 10: 30 p. m., where a celebration will be held on what Relay participants have accomplished and remembering those who have been lost to