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Last year, 64 teams signed up to participate in the Latah County Relay for Life. This year, more than 80 teams will walk the track.
Debbie Jacobs, Relay for Life event chair, said she is excited about the high turnout and hopes even more community members will come to join in the fun.
This year’s theme is “Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back,” and this is exactly what it’s all about, she said.
According to the Relay for Life Web site, the event serves as a means to bring those touched by cancer together — “to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer and to fight back against this disease.”
Although it is a called a “relay,” it’s not a race, Jacobs said. Teams are responsible for keeping at least one person on the track throughout the entire event but walking is just fine, she said.
“The purpose for walking on the track all night long is that cancer doesn’t sleep,” Jacobs said. “At 2:30 in the morning when you’re dragging your feet around the track you can realize how it feels. Just for one night you get the uncomfortable feeling that people with cancer feel all the time.”
The fifth annual Relay for Life starts at 6 p.m. Friday in the UI Kibbie Dome and will continue through 9 a.m. Saturday.
Participants will be entertained all night long with music, games and a silent auction. Each team was asked to donate one item to the auction and attendees will have until roughly 11:45 p.m. to place their bids. The winners will be announced after the tables have been closed and people must be present to receive their prizes, Jacobs said.
“I’ve seen some good prizes so far,” she said. “I’ve seen a bike, movies, there’s always gift certificates.”
Because the relay lasts all night, teams are encouraged to set up tents for napping or hanging out while they are not on the track. If people plan on bringing snacks, they must also bring a tarp to sit on or eat at the tables provided so the new turf in the Kibbie Dome isn’t ruined, she said.
Junior Victoria Cook is the publicity chair for the event and said she has been working hard to make sure participants have a good time. This is her first year holding a position on the Relay for Life committee, but because it is a worthy cause, she said it is something she plans to continue with for the remainder of her time at UI.
“I’ve known a lot of people who’ve had cancer and I continue to see it everywhere,” Cook said. “It’s so prevalent and you need to know the facts. You need to know how to treat it. You need to know the symptoms and you need to know how to treat people who do have cancer.”
Cook said she will be at the event from start to finish and although it’s a long time to stay awake, she is prepared to make the sacrifice.
“I’ve seen cancer affect too many people,” Cook said. “I want to help.”
Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. Friday, followed by the survivors lap, which allows the cancer survivors to make the first lap of the night. Things will be done a bit differently this year because the survivors will be joined by their caregivers halfway through the lap, to symbolize that they are not alone in their suffering any longer, Jacobs said.
“I get goose bumps every time I think about it,” she said. “I can’t wait to see it.”
Next, all 83 teams will have the opportunity to make a lap together, Jacobs said. The rest of the night will be filled with activities including the lighting of luminaries and live music.
Even if you didn’t sign up with a team, you are still encouraged to come and show your support, Jacobs said.
“Anyone who has been touched by cancer will be touched by the event,” She said.
Closing ceremonies will begin at 8:30 a.m. Saturday and the event should be wrapped by 9 a.m.
So far close to $40,000 has been raised, but Jacobs said she hopes to break $100,000 by the time the relay is over.
“There are 1,086 participants signed up online,” Jacobs said. “If each person raised just $100 dollars we would be well over that goal.”
All the money raised will be donated to the American Cancer Society.
But money is not the most important thing, Jacobs said. Just showing interest in finding a cure for cancer is good enough, she said.
“And besides, when else can you camp out on the new turf?” Jacobs said.
For more information go to www.events.cancer.org/rfllatahcountyid.com.
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