Northeast Montana Relay for Life Event Begins Friday

Northeast Montana Relay for Life Event Begins Friday

Georgie Kulczyk / THE COURIER

Relay for Life is an American Cancer Society (ACS) event intended to raise funds for the fight against cancer. There is more to the ACS than fundraising. Research is at the heart of their mission. No governmental organization in the U.S. has invested more to find the causes and cures of cancer than the ACS.

For more than 65 years, the ACS has been finding answers that save lives through research – from changes in lifestyle to new approaches in therapies to improving patients' quality of life. The ACS has played a role in every significant cancer research breakthrough over the last 50 years.

In a single year, the Society screens 1,000-1,800 grant applications through a carefully designed peer review process. A volunteer/staff partnership is used to seek, find and fund the very best ideas.

Nearly 400 projects are approved annually, but receiving approval doesn't necessarily guarantee funding. Only about 60 percent of the projects are funded. The other projects – all with true merit – are put on hold until additional funding is available. That's why it's so important for people to participate in their local relay event.

Data shows that 1,000 more lives per day could be saved from cancer than were being saved in the early 90s. The ACS continues to urgently work and fight every day to raise money, advocate for public policy, and deliver programs in every community. If funds were available for all critical research projects, how many more lives could be saved? How many families would still have their loved ones? How many dads would be able to walk their daughters down the aisle? How many moms would see their sons graduate? Please join the ACS in their fight against cancer and support the Relay for Life this weekend.

Schedule of Events:

Friday, Aug 14

5:30-7:00 p.m.Team registration at the fair office.

5:30-6:45 p.m.Survivor registration and reception under the grandstand. Keynote speaker – Carol Neufeld.

5:30-7:00 a.m. Silent auction under the grandstand. The "section 1" silent and take a chance auctions will close at 11:00 p.m. Friday and the "section 2" silent auction will close at 7:00 a.m. Saturday. Payment must be made at that time.

7:00 p.m. Opening by Rod Karst and Dyan Carlson. Opening prayer – Pastor Scott Hedegaard. Survivors positioned on track for lap – all survivors. Flag presentation – VFW Post 3107. National anthem. Flame of hope lighting – Wayne Shipp (special thanks to the keepers of the flame – Bill & Kareen Nicol) Keynote address – Megan Schafer. Survivor lap. Team laps begin.

8:00-10:00 p.m. Entertainment.

8:00-8:30 p.m. McKenna and Summer Strommen.

8:30-9:00 p.m. Mr. Geezer relay sponsored by 5th Ave. Pharmacy & Gifts.

9:00-9:30 p.m. Jessica Jimison.

9:30-10:00 p.m. Mr. Relay.

10:00 p.m. Luminaria ceremony (public and participants encouraged to participate in lighting luminaria). Names and pictures scrolled on the large screen. Note: We ask that you respect those around you and keep the noise to a minimum, and that all lights remain out during the ceremony. Thank you.

10:30 p.m. Caregiver lap (caregivers pick up glow sticks in front of stage).

11:00 p.m. "Section 1" silent auction finishes – winners must take care of payment.

 Saturday, Aug 15

Midnight Fight back ceremony. Midnight lunch served at the 4-H booth.

2:00-5:00 a.m. Amazing Race – sponsored by Eugene's Pizza and Taco Shack.

6:00 a.m. Reveille – Brad Persinger. Yoga with Toni LaGree.

6:30 a.m. Breakfast served at the 4-H booth.

7:00 a.m. "Section 2" silent auction finishes – winners must take care of payment.

8:00 a.m. Wrap-up of raffles and any other sales.

8:30 a.m. Wrap-up by Rod Karst and the organizing committee. Note: If you wish to take your luminaria bag(s) please do so at this time.

9:00 a.m. Victory lap by everybody present.

Games for both adults and children will be held throughout the relay. Listen for Rod to announce events.

The Remembrance Tent is also back this year. Organizers are looking for articles, obituaries, pictures of your loved ones, poems or other items to be placed in the Remembrance Tent. This is an opportunity to honor loved ones or friends who have lost the battle to cancer. Call Debbie at 406-939-8380, 228-8380 or leave items at 837 6th Ave South in Glasgow. The committee will display walls of memory items in the Remembrance Tent during the Relay for Life and provide a place to sit and remember loved ones.

The Northeastern Montana Relay for Life will be held at the Valley County Fairgrounds Aug. 14 and 15.