The annual Relay for Life event is going downtown and for the first time ever will be held on the public square.
The event will start Friday, May 10 at 7 p.m. and continue until 7 a.m. the next morning. Relay teams, cancer survivors and their families will gather together to support each other.
The goal of Relay for Life is to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
“It affects one out of every three people,” said Steven Baker, member of the local organizational team. “You can’t find someone who hasn’t had a friend, a family member or themselves that hasn’t been touched by cancer.”
Baker said the American Cancer Society’s job is to give people more birthdays and the funds raised during the event go towards that goal.
WHERE DOES THE MONEY GO?
As a part of the local organizational team for Relay for Life, Baker said a lot of times he is asked where the money raised ends up.
Adair County has raised nearly $900,000 in the last 10 years for the American Cancer society for research. The research has helped doctors find treatment for cancer patients, Baker said.
“Your success rate is a lot higher than it was 10 years ago,” Baker said.
The funds raised during the relay events fund more than just national research. There are several support groups for cancer patients including the Hope Lodge, Look Good…Feel Good program and Man to Man.
• The Hope Lodge offers cancer patients free and temporary places to stay when they are going through treatment away from home. The lodges also have in house support programs.
• The Look Good…Feel Good program is a public service that helps cancer patients with their self-esteem and teaches hands on beauty techniques to manage side effects of treatment. Peggy Lawson of House of Styles helps with the program locally.
“It’s to lift their spirits up while they are going through treatment,” Baker said.
• Man to Man is a support group for men who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer. It offers a community-based education and support for the patients and their family members.
The American Cancer Society also has a hotline number for cancer patients or family members who need information about specialists or support groups. The hotline is 24 hours a day and can be reached at 1-800-227-2345.
For more information, call Jennifer Smith at 250-1396 or Steven Baker at 250-4560.
Luminaria order forms have to be in by April 24.
