More than 1,000 participants on 96 teams are expected at the 12th annual Relay for Life of Kent June 4-5 at French Field at Kent-Meridian High School.
The event raises money for the American Cancer Society to support cancer research.
“Our goal this year is $195,000,” said Lance Goodwin, event chairman for the Relay for Life of Kent, during a phone interview June 1. “We are on target to hit our goal. A lot of money comes in the day of the event.”
The event raised $195,000 last year, with 85 teams.
“We did really good last year in a down economy,” Goodwin said. “People want to give. This is a big community event and there is a strong sense of community right now. A lot of people know someone who has cancer.”
The relay starts 6 p.m. June 4 and ends at about noon June 5. The participating relay teams include members who camp out at French Field and take turns walking or running around the track. Each team is slated to have at least one representative on the track at all times throughout the 18-hour relay.
Survivors kick off the relay by walking the first lap followed by caregivers on the second lap and local heroes on the third lap. The local heroes include firefighters, police officers and military.
At dusk, about 9:30 p.m., the Luminaria Ceremony of Hope takes place. During the ceremony, paper bags containing lit votive candles are set out around the edge of the track. Each bears the name of a person fighting cancer, or a loved one lost to the disease. People then begin reading off the names from the luminaria.
“Everyone then forms a circle of hope and holds hands on the field,” Goodwin said.
Seattle Opera singer Guy Bogar will sing the inspirational song “You Raise Me Up” during the ceremony. Guest speaker Pat Hanis, a Kent attorney, will share how cancer has impacted his family.
Event participants who do not have cancer will get the opportunity to be a special part of the event. They can sign up from 5-9 p.m. for the American Cancer Society’s third Cancer Prevention Study. Individuals between the ages of 30 and 65 who have never been diagnosed with cancer and who are willing to make a long-term commitment to the study will have the chance to enroll in the hope that research being done today will lead to a cancer-free tomorrow.
Themed laps are mixed in throughout the event, including belly dancing, circus attire, pajamas, crazy dance and other themes.
Members from each team take turns, in an continuing effort, walking around the track in a metaphor for the cancer battle, Goodwin said. That is, just like a person who is battling cancer would not stop their chemotherapy half way through their treatment, neither do teams stop walking.
“People are on the track at all hours,” Goodwin said.
The relay ends at about noon June 5 with a closing ceremony.
For more information or to make a donation to the Relay for Life of Kent, go to www.rflkent.org.
For more information about the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.
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