Relay For Life seeks teams

Staff report

CANFIELD

The American Cancer Society is in search of teams for the 50 Relay For Life events planned during April through July in the Northeast Ohio Region, which includes Columbiana, Mahoning and Trumbull counties.

Groups of ten to 15 people comprise a team, which can be formed from local companies, schools, clubs, families and friends. Each team member raises money before the relay and turns in their donations at the event.

Relays For Life are not competitive events. Rather, they are fun events that everyone of all ages and backgrounds can attend. The primary focus is for people from all walks of life gather together because they want to make a difference in the fight against cancer, said Alfred Stabilito, public relations director for the Northeast Ohio/East Central Division of the cancer society.

Throughout the 18- to 24-hour relay, a number of traditional events take place, including a survivor lap at the beginning and a luminary service at dusk. Activities, games, contests, music, food and other events for people of all ages are also planned by volunteer committees.

Teams of people camp out at a local high-school track, park, fairground or other area and take turns walking or running at a designated time. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. The reason for this is because cancer never sleeps, Stabilito said.

“Each year, thousands of people are diagnosed with cancer, so it is safe to assume everyone knows someone who has been touched by this disease. Many survive, but unfortunately too many of our friends, family and others do not. Relay is the perfect opportunity to show support for the survivors and an ideal time to remember those who lost their battle,” said Jo-Ann Crank, vice president of the Northeast Ohio Region of the American Cancer Society.

To learn more about Relay For Life, call the American Cancer Society toll-free at 800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.