12 years of Relay for Life in Belton

On April 16 Relay for Life held their annual overnight walk for cancer at South Belton Middle School’s track in Belton. Cancer survivors, with their friends and families, walk the track from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. to help raise funds for cancer research.

“We have been doing Relay for Life here in Belton now for 12 years. We are expecting 15 teams with 500 attending the event. We have been here for the past three years at South Belton Middle School where it is a nice convenient location for the Belton community to come out and attend,” said Event Leader Jeff Wood. “One person from each team is on the track at all times. When they get tired of walking, they have to have someone else from their team step in. Cancer never stops so for 12 hours the teams are require to not stop as well. Extraco Bank and Grand Avenue are among some of the teams here.”

According to cancer.org more than one million people in the United States get cancer each year. The Relay for Life movement raises more than $400 million every year. The American Cancer Society puts these donations to work, investing in groundbreaking research in every type of cancer and providing free information and services to cancer patients and their caregivers. In more than 5,200 communities and 20 countries, Relay for Life events are the primary fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

Relay for Life began in May 1985 when a doctor from Tacoma, Washington ran and walked for 24 hours raising $27,000 for the American Cancer Society. A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. The Relay for Life movement has grown into a worldwide event, raising nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.

“I personally lost my Dad to cancer and for me this is therapy; this is how I fight back. I am not a scientist; I cannot discover a cure. But I can raise money to help fund those scientists. Cancer has effected so many of my friends and family; I just want to do what I can to make a difference,” said 5th grade Chisholm Trail Elementary School teacher Amanda Curylo of Belton.

According to relay.acsevents.org, Relay for Life events incorporates several meaningful activities to help the ones effected by cancer heal. The Survivors Lap is the first lap to be taken around the track to celebrate all cancer survivors in their victory over cancer. The Luminaria Ceremony takes place after dark in remembrance of people who have lost their battle to cancer, who have fought cancer in the past, and support for those still fighting. Candles are lit inside of personalized bags and are placed around the Relay track as a glowing tribute. The Fight Back Ceremony inspires Relay participants to take action. The ceremony symbolizes the commitment each person makes in the fight against cancer.

For donating information, please visit www.relay.acsevents.org.