Each year, hundreds gather at the football stadium at Clinton High School to take part in the annual Relay for Life event that celebrates those who have fought and won the battle against cancer and remember others who weren’t as lucky.
The annual event is scheduled for Saturday, with activities scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. Relay is normally held in June, but was moved to May this year with the hopes of having cooler weather.
“Relay for Life is a great event that raises money for cancer research with a goal of beating cancer,” Angela Burns, community manager for the Sampson County area, said. “It’s also a great time to fellowship and strengthen the community and get people who have survived and beaten the disease together.”
According to Burns, no donation is too small, each and every dollar counts. All monies raised Saturday night and from other fundraising from throughout the year go to help fund groundbreaking cancer research, patient care programs, and can make a difference in communities like ours.
Last year, the Sampson County chapter raised more than $100,000 to be given to the American Cancer Society. This year, with a goal of $132,000, more than $56,000 has already been collected, with another bank night scheduled for after the event.
This year’s survivor’s lap is scheduled for 6 p.m. and will be followed by the caregiver’s lap.
Last year, following the survivor’s lap and the caregiver’s lap, Burns asked survivors to make their way onto the center of the football field. Carrying a purple balloon, the survivors formed the shape of a ribbon, which is a symbol for Relay.
“The most touching part of that night was when I saw them standing there and they looked like a purple ribbon,” Burns said. “It was very uplifting and inspiring to see that.”
Just as dark falls across the stadium, around 9 p.m., the luminaries and lanterns will be lighted — with each flame symbolizing the hope each survivor and cancer patient should have. Last year, more than 1,000 luminaries and 75 lanterns filled the stadium.
“The largest hope is the community coming out so that they can let the people know there is hope,” one event organizer said. “We want the survivors to know they are loved and be there as a community to support them.”
The Relay for Life committee says there are about 25 teams that are registered to have some type of booth set up during Friday night’s event. There are more teams registered and teams can continue to register through the event.