American Cancer Society Holds Annual Relay For Life
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Despite an afternoon thunderstorm that had the Bay City warning sirens blaring, the American Cancer Society held it's 13th annual Bay City Relay for Life.
Relay is ACS's signature event. Started in Tacoma, Washington in 1985, the annual events bring cancer survivors and those touched by cancer together. Each year more than 4,000 communities across the country host Relays. Over the years these events have raised more a billion dollars toward the fight against cancer.
Relay has become a very well received event in Bay City. Hundreds of people come out and many area businesses sponsor teams that raise money for the cause then come to the event. Tents are erected, tables set up, and those attending have a great party. More money is raised at in the 24 hour period as groups sell food, clothing and anything else you can think of.
This year the organizers held a Haircut-a-thon. Anyone with an extra eight inches of hair was invited to have it cut off by professionals then donated to be used for making wigs for cancer patients. The pros did a basic styling then to give participants a new look.
This year's event had a little excitement when a couple of thunderstorms rolled over the park about noon on Saturday. They were intense enough to trigger the city's warning sirens, which sent participants scurrying for cover in the community center across the street. But the rain passed, bringing pleasantly cool air in its wake.
The highlight of the evening each year is the lighting of the luminaries that line all of the walkways. Each luminary, a paper bag containing a candle, is decorated with the names and pictures of cancer patients. A ceremony is held with a short presentation then the lighting of candles by every person. The crowd sits quietly as music plays and the names of local cancer patients are scrolled on a screen.
For more information anytime, call toll free 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
A popular event every year takes on a whole new meaning when the water feels like it's freezing! And if you miss the target, you might luck out and a friend will dunk his buddy.
The "Halloween Dance Crew" Emily Eauclaire (7) the Bat, Hailey Weindel (7) the Ghost, and Mackenzee Kunz (8) the Pumpkin
Walking is the theme of the Relay and groups can be found everywhere throughout the park.
Marty Wieszczecinski spins up cotton candy
The Josh Ramses band entertained all afternoon with live music
Team Smiley's Darbi Bishop, Paulette Ing, and Michelle Price show off their boas
From 9:00 am on the Haircut-a-Thon collected hair over 8 inches long to be donated for wigs.
GET ME OUT...PLEASE! Scouts Henry Rousse and Will Czarnecki ask for contributions to pay their bail as Devin Symborski looks on.
Sponsors make the event possible and are recognized with signs lining all of the walks throughout the park.
Yes it rained... and rained buckets! But once the skies cleared the event went on with just some muddy toes to remind everyone.
When you represent Italy, what better than a bucket of spaghetti.
Buy two get one free! Montena Owczarzak pulls sister Hayley as they sell glow sticks.
Walkers check the names and pictures on luminaries that honor cancer patients from the area.
Mallory Daoust lights luminaries as evening approaches.
Campfires are lit and sleeping bags pulled out as groups get ready for a cool evening.
The flame is passed from person to person as candles are lit for the evening ceremonies.
A silent crowd listens to music while the names of cancer patients and survivors are scrolled on a screen for almost an hour.
Getting ready for an unseasonably cold and blustery August night, a good campfire makes all the difference. It's a 24 hour event and spending the night is half the fun.
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Stephen Kent |
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