Relay for Life offers hope and inspiration

By Kelly Terpstra, kterpstra@charlescitypress.com

Inspiration and celebration.

Those two words are as powerful as any that reside in the dictionary.

They give hope to anyone who has dealt with cancer.

This Friday at Central Park in Charles City the Floyd County Relay for Life will attempt to raise even more money for the American Cancer Society when it holds its annual event from 5-9 p.m.

The goal is $30,000 and according to the Floyd County Relay for Life’s website, $16,952.50 has already been raised. There are nine teams currently signed up to participate on Friday.

It will be a time for anyone in attendance to have fun, enjoy some good food and celebrate with other survivors that have beat cancer or are currently battling the disease.

“Everybody is welcome,” said Jan Adams, who is part of the event’s leadership committee and a member of Valero’s team that will be raising money.

The numbers are staggering in terms of the money being raised and the number of individuals, families or friends that have been affected in one way or another by this devastating affliction.

The Relay for Life is just one component of fundraising for the ACS that has been able to invest $4.6 billion in research.

The ACS estimates that in 2018 alone more than 1.7 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed and there will be almost 610,000 deaths.

Adams has heard the touching stories of cancer victims and feels obligated to do something about it. She has been involved for quite some time with the many facets of the Relay for Life that do more than just raise money.

“I feel blessed to be able to do these things and give back. You have to give to get,” said Adams.

The theme for this year’s event is “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” An opening ceremony will kick off Friday’s event followed by a flag ceremony. There’s also a survivor celebration and a silent auction that people can take part in.

Luminarias can be purchased for $10 and can be decorated to remember loved ones. Beaded necklaces can also be be bought for $1 or six for $5. You can receive a free bead for each lap you walk. There will be a luminaria ceremony at 8:45 p.m. The event also has kids games and pedal cars, not to mention zumba.

If it were to rain, the event would be moved to Charles City High School.