The annual Henry/Stark Relay for Life, which benefits the American Cancer Society, will take place again this year at Windmont Park on Saturday, Aug. 17.
Organizers for the event are finishing up the last of the details, which include luminaries, an opening ceremony, a luminary ceremony and a silent auction at the Windmont shelter house.
Nichelle Morey co-chairs the event with Amy Sternes, and said that Kewanee has been holding a Relay for Life for almost 30 years.
“We are one of the few that still exist,” she said. “It’s been a struggle to keep this event going, especially after Covid.”
While the numbers, as far as teams, survivors, volunteers and committee members are down, she and Sternes, along with a group of committed members, don’t want to see the event go away.
“It is very important to us,” she said. “With Amy and I both being survivors at a young age, we developed a deep passion for Relay for Life. It is an event where we get to celebrate our survivors, remember those who lost their battle and give us an opportunity to raise money for those being newly diagnosed.”
Their hope, Morey said, is that those diagnosed with cancer have an easier treatment and better outcome than those who came before them.
Sternes said whether people realize it or not, “we all know someone who is affected by cancer.”
Cancer is something, Sternes said, that many families experience and it is reassuring to her that they can provide a sense of comfort in the community for those who are sharing the same experience.
“This is a great opportunity to come together and show that no one is alone in this fight against cancer. It’s also important to give back. This allows you to take a little time out of your day to honor survivors, purchase a luminary for a loved one, or raise money for an amazing cause,” said Sternes.
Luminaries can be purchased at $10 for a bag luminary, $25 for a floating luminary and $50 for a torch. For questions and information on how to purchase luminaries, contact Marcia Dragolovich, the luminaria chair, at (309) 714-4087.
Relay for Life will kick off with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. A survivor’s lap will take place at 6:30 p.m. and the opening walk begins at 7 p.m. and goes until 9 p.m. The silent auction will take place at the shelter house from 4 to 8 p.m.
The committee is also looking for survivors to be a part of the event. The ACS considers a person a cancer survivor from the moment of diagnosis, no matter what type of cancer and no matter how long the treatment. Survivors are welcome to participate and can sign up to be on the relay’s mailing list by going to www.relayforlife.org/henrystarkil.
The Henry/Stark Relay for Life is also looking for teams to participate. A team can consist of one person or more. Teams can sign up online at www.relayforlife.org/henrystarkil.
Morey said she is hoping for a good turnout and a chance to raise even more money for research in the fight against cancer.
“Even though numbers are down, we don’t want to forget the fact that in the years we have been holding this event, our committee, our teams and our community has raised over a $1 million for the American Cancer Society. That is definitely something we should all be proud of,” said Morey.
For questions, contact Morey at (309) 525-1727 or Sternes at (309) 853-6670. Find them on Facebook here.
