Kane Relay for Life Lights the Way for a Cure

Are you Ready? Get ready, because here it comes – the 9th Annual Kane Area Relay For Life (RFL).

RFL posters popped up around town last week. A banner now hangs in uptown Kane. Twenty Relay teams are making their final fundraising push toward their goals.

The 24-hour culminating event after a year of "raising Kane" begins at the Kane Area High School Track at 12 noon on Friday, July 10 and ends at noon on Saturday, July 11. We invite and encourage everyone to be there for all or part of this extraordinary event.

Relay Reminders
While you can obtain luminaria up until a few moments prior to the 9 p.m. Luminary Ceremony on Friday, July 10, the deadline for having a luminary in honor or memory of a loved one published in the program book is this Friday, July 3.

If you wish your donation published then Luminaria sell sites in Kane include Zook Motors, Erie Insurance, It’s Judi’s Place, and the KCH Hospital Gift Shop and in Mt. Jewett Sure Save and Kafe’ Sol.

Otherwise, arrive early the night of the ceremony to obtain your luminaria.

Luminaries are also available for a love donation by sending the names in whose memory or honor the donation is made along with your name, address, phone and a check payable to the American Cancer Society (ACS), to ACS, P.O. Box 67, Bradford, PA 16701.

What is Relay?
Relay For Life (RFL) is a community gathering where everyone can participate in the fight against cancer. Teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path, each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event --- because cancer never sleeps. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length.

RFL brings together millions of people across the nation to raise money to help prevent cancer, save lives and diminish suffering from the disease. Forty percent of the money raised goes for cancer research, the other 60% raised, stays in the area for education and care and services for those with cancer. And that's the reason so many participate in Relay. Because the majority of the money stays local.

Teaming up for the fight
Last year’s Kane Area effort yielded $62K and the goal this year for the Kane Area, set by the American Cancer Society, is $65K. With 20 teams this year and an average of 15 members per team, the Kane Area Relay is an army of 300 people raising money for a year in group, team and individual events, one dime and one dollar at a time. It's a lot of events, lots of bake sales, yard sales, dime/change jars, raffles, 50/50s, spaghetti and rigatoni dinners, product sales, and so much more.

While raising money, team members are learning the facts and raising awareness of cancer prevention, early detection, treatment, while building a network for patient support and building community. Relay brings people together from all walks of life with the common goal of eliminating cancer.

One in three Americans will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life gives everyone the opportunity to fight back and make a difference in the battle against cancer.

Teams come from businesses, clubs, families, friends, hospitals, churches, schools and service organizations.

No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay.

Honoring Survivors

At 7 p.m. on Friday, July 10, the Kane Area Relay will honor cancer survivors. A survivor is anyone who has heard the words “you have cancer”.

If you are a survivor, please join us as our honorary guest at the survivors’ reception and for a ceremonial lap. There will be a tent where you can register prior to the event.

Your strength and courage help the community see that cancer survivorship is real or that living with cancer is possible and that progress in the battle against cancer is taking place.

Hope Lights the Way
Zook Motors of Kane will again be the sponsor of the Relay for Life Luminaria Ceremony that will take place on Friday, July 10 at 9 p.m. at the high school track.

When the sun goes down, hundreds of luminaria light the way under the stars to remember those lost to cancer, those fighting cancer, and those who have fought cancer and won. This ceremony of light symbolizes the hope and perseverance with which we all continue to fight.

The names of all for whom luminaria were donated will be read during the moving ceremony.

Through this tradition of giving a gift to the American Cancer Society in memory or in honor of someone lost to cancer, someone fighting cancer, or in special recognition for someone who has beaten this disease we keep the fire of hope burning.

2nd Annual “Lighted Memories”
Following the luminaria ceremony there will be a music video in honor or memory of loved ones.

To have your loved one included please submit a photo and a 10 word message to ALR1385@hotmail.com or contact Marianne Rook at 837-7115. There is no cost to honor or memorialize a loved one in the “Lighted Memories” presentation.

Everyone loves a parade
To introduce the community to this year’s Relay teams and members and the upcoming 9th Annual Kane Area Relay for Life there will be a parade in uptown Kane at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 9.

This is a great event for the whole family. Come and support local cancer survivors and remember family and friends at this year's parade. Enjoy band, floats, fire trucks, Miss Relay contestants, members of our 20 teams distributing candy and much more.

Let's make sure we fill the streets of Fraley Street. Make it a family night with a pre-parade or post parade meal at one of our great restaurants.

Then, join us on Friday, July 10th at the Kane Area High School Track as we begin our 24 hour Relay Wrap-up for 2009. Come cheer on survivors, help us choose the 2009 Miss Relay, stay for the moving luminary ceremony and lighted memories presentation.

The Sports Boosters will have the concession stand open for an evening meal Friday from 4-11 p.m. and 6-9 a.m. on Saturday for breakfast. Many teams will have sweet treats to sell, raffles, 50/50s, or games for kids (all 24 hours) while team members take to the track to walk or run for a cure for cancer.

It will be a weekend you’ll never forget.