Relay for Life returns to recreational complex
EL DORADO — One in three women and one in two men in the United States of America will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime.
That’s why many residents of Union County participate in the relay. For the last several months volunteers consisting of committee members and teams have been preparing for the annual Relay For Life Event that will take place today at the John E. Gross Recreational Complex, located at 3040 Haynesville Highway. The event will kick off at 6:30 p.m. and is a free, family-oriented event that everyone is welcome to attend.
The opening ceremony will consist of the presentation of the colors, a survivor walk, balloon release and introduction of teams and sponsors. A luminary ceremony will be held at 9 p.m.
There will be various activities and food being served at team tents throughout the night to continue to help the
teams raise funds for the American Cancer Society.
Relay for Life is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, with four million participants in 6,000 events worldwide in 2015.
The money that is raised by the Relay Teams helps realize the ACS’s mission to save lives and celebrate life.
Recently UAMS was awarded almost 1.6 million dollars of Relay for Life money that will be staying in Arkansas and will be going towards the study of thyroid cancer and a form of skin cancer.
Earlier this week, sponsors gathered at the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce for the official ribbon cutting for Union County Relay For Life joining the Chamber. Also, while at the Chamber the sponsors gathered for sponsorship photos.
Some of the event’s sponsors include gold level sponsors Kensel Spivey (Committee), Janice Zarebski (Committee), Ashley Barbaree of First Financial Bank, Debbie Harbour of A.L. Franks Engineering, Britni Case of First Financial Bank, Aimee Beebe (Committee), Clean Harbors and St. Mary’s Church.
Silver level sponsors are RAJ Salunke of LanXess, Renee Anders of El Dorado Chemical, Debbie Harbour (Relay Event Chair), René Aycock of Generations Bank, Aimee Beebe (Committee), Kensel Spivey (Committee), Janice Zarebski (Committee), Seneca Iverson of LanXess, Barrow Inc., Arkansas Urology, Deltic, St. Paul Church, Parkers Chapel School, HEPCO and Parkers Chapel Baptist Church.
Bronze level sponsors are LaQuita Rainey of Generations of Faith, Jaren Books of Chamber of Commerce, Stephanie Dykes of Simmons Bank, Debbie Harbour (Relay Event Chair), Natashia Henderson of Sims Mortuary, Bobbie Dumas of Caldwell Banker, Robert Henderson of Sims Mortuary, Beth Brumley of Oak Ridge
Nursing and Rehab, George Zarebski of American International Cuprement Council, Sandra Smith of BCS, Kensel Spivey (Committee), Janice Zarebski (Committee), Jeff Henderson of Andy’s, Kirk Hudson of Hudson Golf Carts, Patricia Allen of Bancorp South, Aimee Beebe of Bancorp South, Alice Sidney
Oil Co., Barkingham Acres, Canfor, Hachi Hachi, LaBella, Southern Bancorp, Smackover Family Practice, VanHook Tire and Young’s Funeral Directors.