A huge birthday party will take place at the New London Middle School track Friday evening, June 14.
Relay For Life of New London teams and the public will celebrate the American Cancer Society’s 100th year of saving lives from cancer.
This American Cancer Society (ACS) effort has created a world where survivors are able to celebrate more and more birthdays.
Dozens of cancer survivors will attend a survivor reception at 5 pm, where they receive the customary purple survivor t-shirts, symbolic of their struggle.
This year, Clintonville will join forces with New London to host one Relay, instead of having separate Relays in each city.
Then Relay teams and public supporters will gather at 6 p.m. at the New London Middle School Track for the kickoff ceremony. After our country is paid homage to, New London’s Relay Chairwoman Rae Ann Kalbus will share her thoughts about the local relay and introduce Miranda Sexton. Sexton is New London’s 2013 Honorary Chairperson, a cancer survivor who will share her story.
The 2013 Relay for Life New London includes the following teams and team captains: Bach Family – Charlie R. Bach; First State Bank – Karla Riehl; Shamrock Club of New Dublin – Suzi Snyder; Smiles For Miles – Jean Spears; Chillerz Bombz – Billie Jo Thompson; After Reach – Kathy L. Grove; Lift Truck Specialists – Veryl Diem and Sue Wolfe; On Eagles Wings – Karoline Showers; Miranda’s Magic – Miranda Sexton; Hillshire Brands – Lisa K. Schmoll LPN; Ant Hill Mob – Tim Gillette; Baccos Produce – Tanna Arndt; Readfield Remembers – Rae Ann M. Kalbus; The Little Mermaids – Aubrey Netzel; Thedacare NLFMC – Kathy K. Walrath; Walking to Remember; and Waupaca County Walkers – Heidi Zander. Team Captains spend unlimited hours of communicating with and developing their teams.
Relay For Life of New London was started 18 years ago, in 1996. This year 17 teams are ready to get the job done. Last year the teams met their goal of $85,000 with a grand total of approximately $86,000. This years goal is to top $91,000.
“It is the progress we’ve made together – as a community, as volunteers, as survivors and as leaders – that has helped ACS reach this incredible 100 year milestone with tremendous success,” says Tracy Carey, the regional ACS Relay For Life representative. Reminding the public that they are invited to the birthday party, Carey goes on to say, “by lending your support to New London’s Relay event this year, you’ll be contributing to the many local support services so vital to caring for cancer patients and survivors.”
The public can show their support at the Relay by purchasing dinner at the Methodist Men’s wagon or campsites circling the track. Watch for all the birthday related sweets being sold by teams. For youngsters, glow in the dark items are available for purchase, with other fun items and goodies.
During Relay For Life events, participating teams camp out overnight at and take turns walking or running around the path throughout the night. Each team has a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relay events take place overnight.
One of the most touching moments during any Relay For Life event is the Luminaria Ceremony. Taking place after sundown, between nine and 10 pm, Luminaria bags are lit to honor cancer survivors, and to remember those lost to the disease. Participants will circle a track illuminated with over two hundred glowing luminaria, each bearing a name of someone who has battled cancer.
Luminaria are available for a suggested donation of five dollars by visiting a local bank this week or by visiting the luminaria stand at the event. Call Beth at 920-538-5992 if you are unable to purchase a luminaria bag this way.
New London’s Relay has closing ceremonies at 8 a.m. Saturday morning.
To learn more about Relay for Life, please call 1-800-227-2345 or visit RelayForLife.org.