Relay for Life gets new home

Mollenkopf Stadium will not be available in 2006 because of construction.
WARREN -- The American Cancer Society's Warren Relay for Life, the largest in the state, will have a new home -- Courthouse Square in the city's downtown -- for its 2006 event May 12-13.
The Warren Relay has been at Warren G. Harding High School's Mollenkopf Stadium for many years. But, because of construction and upgrades to the stadium, it will not be available for next year's relay, event coordinators said.
The official ceremony to mark the new location will take place during the Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 2 in downtown Warren. The ceremony begins at 5 p.m.
"This was not an easy decision to make since there were many factors we had to consider," said Jim Marrangoni, co-chairman of the Warren Relay. We had other locations in mind, but downtown Warren was the best fit."
The Warren Relay is not only the largest in Ohio for income but also attracts the most cancer survivors in the state. Some 1,400 cancer survivors participated in the 2005 Warren Relay.
Flame of Hope
"After Mayor Michael O'Brien lights the tree, there will be a special ceremony and lighting of our Flame of Hope candle that will burn day and night until the Relay," said Cathy Carnifax, co-chairman.
"The Flame of Hope will burn in memory of those who passed away from cancer and honors those who have survived cancer," she said.
The Relay for Life is an overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs provided by ACS. During each event, teams gather at the relay site and take turns walking or running laps.
Each team tries to keep at least one team member on the track at all times for 24 hours. The opening lap of the event is reserved for cancer survivors, officials said.
"We had to make a choice that would be favorable to our survivors, teams and the people in the community who support it," said Tom Logan, the other co-chairman.
People interested in forming teams for any of the 2006 Trumbull County American Cancer Society Relay For Life events may call (330) 841-4970.