The Washington County Relay for Life will celebrate its 30th birthday while continuing the fight against cancer. This year’s event is slated for 3-9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Belpre’s Civitan Park. (File Photo)
BELPRE — The Washington County Relay for Life will celebrate its 30th birthday while continuing the fight against cancer.
This year’s event is slated for 3-9:30 p.m. Saturday, May 18, in Belpre’s Civitan Park. There are 15 teams signed up now, but activities are open to the public, with no charge for admission, whether individuals are part of an official team or not, said Carmen Hathaway, senior development manager for the Northeast Region of the American Cancer Society.
Teams are actively fundraising now, but they’ll have other ways folks can contribute to the cause during the event, she said.
“Some of them have crafts that they’ve made. Some of them will have food, popcorn,” Hathaway said.
There will also be food trucks set up when the event kicks off at 3 p.m. and a performance by the High Schools that Rock band at the gazebo. A dinner for survivors and caregivers is planned for 4-5:30 p.m.
Also performing will be Cold Shot Band and 5 Spot Band, with DJ Rick providing music during some of the laps as well.
Hathaway said survivors who attend will receive a free shirt. Signing up in advance will allow them to get the shirt in time to wear to the event, but that’s only one of the reasons.
“We need them to sign up so that gives us a contact list to be able to reach out to them and invite them to things in the future,” Hathaway said.
Survivors will be honored on the first lap around the track as well.
In addition to contributing to team fundraisers, participants can purchase luminaries to honor loved ones who have battled cancer. There will be a live auction, with items like baskets filled around multiple themes.
People can also purchase tickets for a golf ball drop — from the Belpre Volunteer Fire Department’s ladder truck — with prizes of $250, $150 and $75. Tickets are $5 and will be available at the event or from Relay team members.
Money raised at the event will benefit the American Cancer Society to provide research grants, patient services and other means of supporting its mission of working to find cures for all types of cancer, Hathaway said.
