Valley Relay for Life teams seek to break world record

Staff report

CANFIELD

Mahoning Valley Relay for Life teams have distinguished themselves as state record-setters in Ohio for many years. Now, collectively they’ve set their sights on smashing a world record.

Members of Relay for Life teams from throughout the Valley will gather June 22 at Eastwood Field in Niles to form what they hope will be the longest human-awareness ribbon after the Scrappers’ game against the Batavia Muckdogs.

Thousands of veterans of this year’s Relays for Life throughout the Valley will take the field donned with their purple Relay T-shirts to form a ribbon drawing attention to the primary purpose of the Relays — aggressively fighting cancer in the United States, said Shannon Ealy, income development director for the Northeast Ohio Region of the American Cancer Society based in Canfield.

To break the record, the Relay teams will have to attract at least 3,954 people to build the human ribbon. According to the Guinness World Records, the largest human-awareness ribbon was achieved by Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan Al-Saud and 3,952 Saudi Arabian women at The Ministry of Education Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month on Oct. 28, 2010.

Given that tens of thousands of Valley residents participate in about a dozen separate Relay events throughout the spring and summer, ACS officials expect the event to succeed.

The Warren Relay for Life consistently ranks first in Ohio in fundraising. This year it raised at least $385,000 despite heavy rain through much of the event earlier this month.

In addition, all cancer survivors will receive a free admission ticket to the Scrappers’ 7:05 p.m. game, courtesy of Warren Paint and Glass, Ealy said.

For all other Relay participants and supporters, box seats for the “Strike Out Cancer Night” will be $7, a $2 discount, and $3 of each ticket price will benefit ACS.

Contact the ACS at 1-888-227-6446 ext. 2200 or the Mahoning Valley Scrappers’ office at 330-505-0000 for additional information and order forms.

The reservation deadline is June 15. Gates open for the event at 6 p.m.

RECENT VALLEY RELAYS

Boardman, Liberty results

Relays for Life, the principal fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, took place at Boardman Center Middle School in Boardman and at Church Hill Park in Liberty last weekend. Despite heavy rain during much of the events, ACS officials deemed them successes.

Boardman Relay: As of Wednesday, the Boardman Relay had raised at least $191,240, about $50,000 short of its goal of $240,000. The 17th annual event brought total funds raised in Boardman to more than $4 million. About 5,000 people participated, including Jerry Jones and Eric Jones, the first-father son team to walk the full 24 hours of the event.

Liberty Relay: As of Wednesday, the Liberty Relay had raised at least $130,493, about $65,000 short of its goal of $196,000. The Liberty event ranks as one of the fastest-growing relays in the region and the state.

To donate: Relay for Life teams in Ohio have until Aug. 31 to complete fundraising efforts for 2011. To contribute to Boardman, Liberty or other events, contact ACS at 888-227-6446 ext. 2200. In September, fundraising begins for 2012 events.

Early June relays: June 3, 4: Cortland Relay for Life, Lakeview High School football field. East Liverpool Relay for Life, Frank J.

Mangano Memorial Track.

June 10, 11: Austintown Relay for Life, Austintown Fitch High School Stadium. June 10, 11, Lordstown/Newton Falls Relay for Life, Newton Falls High School.

Source: American Cancer Society, Northeast Ohio Region