Jun. 27: Relay for Life is almost here!

The North Clackamas Relay for Life is only a couple weeks away. It’s gonna be tons o’ fun, and I’m getting really excited! Our team, The Hoe-Downs, is still in the top spot for fundraising, thanks especially to the hard work of Mark-Antonio Grant. There’s still a lot more fundraising to do, though, so keep at it!

July 16-17, 2011
Clackamas High School stadium

What is Relay for Life?

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

I started getting an hourly schedule all set up and promptly forgot who wants to walk and when. Y’all need to remind me. I vaguely remember that Margaret wants the 2-3 pm slot on Saturday. As for the rest of y’all, I have no idea.

Comment on this post (or on FB) or email me and I’ll get you in a time block.

The theme for our Relay 2011 is “Roundin’ Up a Cure.” Tonight I ordered two dozen cowboy hats for our team, and bandana-print slap bracelets we can sell as an on-site team fundraiser. I’ll also have lots of glow bracelets for us and our kids at nighttime. We will definitely be appropriately attired. 

For my teammates, or for those who want to come hang with us on Saturday, here are some of the things we should plan to bring:

• Tents
• Sleeping bags/blankets and inflatable mattresses
• Flashlights
• Camp chairs
• Bug repellent
• Umbrellas (hopefully we won’t need them)
• Coolers—stocked with food and beverages, of course!
• Hats or sun visors (If you’ve got a cowboy hat, wear it! If not, I’ll have extras)
• Comfy shoes
• Additional donations you’ve collected
• Décor for our team campsite
• Camera
• A little bit of $$ for on-site fundraisers and concessions

During the Luminaria ceremony, which takes place once the sun has set on July 16, we’ll light up small white bags that will line the track with names of cancer fighters. If you’d like a bag to be lit for someone special to you, please contact me. You can decorate and personalize a bag for anyone, or I can do it for you. A $5 donation to ACS is requested for each Luminaria bag placed on the track for the ceremony.

If you can’t be a Hoe-Down but want to attend some part of the Relay, here are two ceremonies I recommend most:

1. The Survivor/Caregiver Lap: This is done just after the opening ceremonies on Saturday morning (probably 11-ish). I would be very grateful if you could be there as my caregiver—my caregivers are one of the biggest reasons I made it through last year!
2. The Luminaria Ceremony: Starting not long after the sun sets on Saturday, this is a solemn celebration of those who have survived cancer and those who have lost their fight. The entire length of the track will light up the darkness—it is beautiful for many reasons.

Can’t join us, but wondering how to donate? View our team page here, and donate to entire The Hoe-Downs team or choose an individual to donate to; either way, you’re helping to fight cancer. Thank you. Look at this page to see how your donations are used.