The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
City’s Relay For Life event seeks participants
Relay participants registered by Feb. 28 will be entered to win a prize
Registration has kicked off for Euclid’s eighth annual Relay For Life fundraising event in partnership with Case Western Reserve University to benefit the American Cancer Society.
Gina Hart, senior development manager at the American Cancer Society’s Cleveland facility, said that while the event on May 6 at 7 p.m. is being held virtually due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, it is still going strong and will include all the aspects of a typical Relay For Life.
Hart said that along with the fundraising portion and team recognition for most funds raised, there will be a ceremony spotlighting both cancer survivors and caregivers. There will also be a luminaria lantern ceremony honoring those whose lives have been affected by cancer — whether in remembrance of those who have lost their lives to the disease, are currently fighting it, or have survived.
Hart said that Relay For Life is open to anyone who wants to sign up to start raising funds, but participating as part of a team often makes the event even more enjoyable.
“It is always more fun with a team of friends, especially when a family or friend group is relaying in support of someone they love who has cancer,” she said. “But, Relay is for anyone, so whether you have a team, or just yourself, everyone is welcome to Relay.”
2020 caused The American Cancer Society to reimagine many of their fundraising events such as Relay For Life and find new alternatives online, Hart said.
“Much of our fundraising prior to the pandemic was done via in-person events, but thankfully we do not relay for an event, we relay to save lives, so our amazing volunteers began to get creative,” Hart said.
“With everything from old-fashioned letter writing, to our specially connected Relay For Life Facebook Fundraisers, Instagram asks, online yoga and paint parties, gift baskets, and so much more, we rallied and raised critically needed funds, and continue to do so in 2021,” she added.
Hart said she has seen a lot of “out of the box” thinking as far as ways to raise funds, and she is happy to help volunteers find a fundraising niche that works for them.
Registration is open until the day of the event, but there is currently an incentive to sign up before the end of the month. Hart said anyone who signs up before Feb. 28 is automatically entered to possibly win one of three prizes— an Apple Watch, Apple AirPods, or a Kendra Scott brand jewelry set.
For more information or to sign up for Euclid’s Relay For Life, visit www.relayforlife.org/euclid.