Keep on walking: That is the mantra participants of the upcoming 13th Annual American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life will be silently thinking as they continuously strut around Brandon High School’s track one day into the next, bringing honor and remembrance to a brother, sister, mother, father, friend or colleague battling or lost to cancer. Keep on walking: That is the mantra participants of the upcoming 13th Annual American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay for Life will be silently thinking as they continuously strut around Brandon High School’s track one day into the next, bringing honor and remembrance to a brother, sister, mother, father, friend or colleague battling or lost to cancer.
Taking place on Friday, April 24, at 3 p.m. into the next morning, Saturday, April 25, until 12 Noon, Relay for Life of Brandon partakers will walk the Brandon High School track, located at 1101 Victoria St. in Brandon, in recognition of those lost to cancer as well as those still battling the disease. To date, 29 teams have committed to the event, with an expected 47 teams to round out this year’s event, themed Wild about Finding a Cure. Last year, over 35 teams took part in the endeavor, and with the help of friends, family and the community, through fundraising and on-site booths, the event raised more then $99,000. This year’s attendance is hoped to trump last year’s 400, with hopes of raising some $105,000 in 2009.
“Relay for Life is a true community event that allows us to celebrate cancer survivors and their caregivers,” states Community Representative Sara Levinson. “We invite anyone from the community who is a cancer survivor or a caregiver to come out to this wonderful event and be honored,” all of who will be equipped with a commemorative T-shirt. Those survivors of cancer will be recognized during the “Victory Lap,” afterwards joining in the reception for survivors. And throughout the night, luminaria candles will burn brightly during the Ceremony of Hope to display the names of those fighting cancer as well as having been taken by cancer, keeping their memory close to the hearts of walkers trying to stomp out the disease in its entirety.
All residents are welcome to come out to the event, enjoying on-site booths which will be fundraising for the ACS. Residents can sift through crafts and food while enjoying live entertainment and raffles. There will be a multitude of activities for children throughout the 18-hour event as well.
Having originated through the efforts of one man – Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon out of Tacoma – the Relay for Life has grown to encompass some 4,800 relays nationwide, having raised a total of $409.5 million at 4,931 events in 2008 alone. That day, in May of 1985, Klatt ran for a total of 24 hours, spanning some 83 miles and ended up raising $27,000.
If you are unable to attend the event, consider making a donation to the Brandon Relay for Life by contacting Levinson at 685-0670, ext. 112. For more information, visit www.RelayForLife.org.
Taking place on Friday, April 24, at 3 p.m. into the next morning, Saturday, April 25, until 12 Noon, Relay for Life of Brandon partakers will walk the Brandon High School track, located at 1101 Victoria St. in Brandon, in recognition of those lost to cancer as well as those still battling the disease. To date, 29 teams have committed to the event, with an expected 47 teams to round out this year’s event, themed Wild about Finding a Cure. Last year, over 35 teams took part in the endeavor, and with the help of friends, family and the community, through fundraising and on-site booths, the event raised more then $99,000. This year’s attendance is hoped to trump last year’s 400, with hopes of raising some $105,000 in 2009.
“Relay for Life is a true community event that allows us to celebrate cancer survivors and their caregivers,” states Community Representative Sara Levinson. “We invite anyone from the community who is a cancer survivor or a caregiver to come out to this wonderful event and be honored,” all of who will be equipped with a commemorative T-shirt. Those survivors of cancer will be recognized during the “Victory Lap,” afterwards joining in the reception for survivors. And throughout the night, luminaria candles will burn brightly during the Ceremony of Hope to display the names of those fighting cancer as well as having been taken by cancer, keeping their memory close to the hearts of walkers trying to stomp out the disease in its entirety.
All residents are welcome to come out to the event, enjoying on-site booths which will be fundraising for the ACS. Residents can sift through crafts and food while enjoying live entertainment and raffles. There will be a multitude of activities for children throughout the 18-hour event as well.
Having originated through the efforts of one man – Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon out of Tacoma – the Relay for Life has grown to encompass some 4,800 relays nationwide, having raised a total of $409.5 million at 4,931 events in 2008 alone. That day, in May of 1985, Klatt ran for a total of 24 hours, spanning some 83 miles and ended up raising $27,000.
If you are unable to attend the event, consider making a donation to the Brandon Relay for Life by contacting Levinson at 685-0670, ext. 112. For more information, visit www.RelayForLife.org.

Previous articleBrandon Regional Unveils New Cancer Treatment With CyberKnife
Next articleBrandon Chamber Selects John Sullivan As New President
Carisa Biesecker
Carisa is a Senior News Reporter and Assistant Editor at the Osprey Observer. When she's not at work, she continues to write, working on future projects; hangs out with friends and family, her best friend (aka her husband) and her four dogs.