Carson-Newman University Hosts Relay For Life 2013
The Jefferson County Relay for Life was held this past Friday night at Carson-Newman University. To open the 2013 event, the Carson-Newman ROTC presented the colors as the National Anthem was played. Giving the opening remarks and prayer was Coach Ken Sparks, this year’s Honorary Survivor. The final part of the opening ceremony was the Survivor Recognition. There were approximately seventy survivors recognized and given a recognition medal and they led the first lap to kick-off the event.
The relay lasted through the night, as a reminder to participants that cancer never sleeps. This year’s relay had a total of twenty-two teams participating. Each team sets a fundraising goal and holds their own events throughout the year to help meet those goals. They also set up a booth at the main relay and the money from their booth goes toward their team goal. This joint effort is to help meet the American Cancer Society’s fundraising goal. This year’s goal was $67,500 and according to Beverly Holland, American Cancer Society Representative, they were very near the goal before the event Friday night. The final totals will be released later in the week.
There were also luminaries sold at the event for $5.00 each. These could be purchased in honor or memory of loved ones who have battled, are currently battling. or have lost their battle with cancer. At ten o’clock, there was a Luminaria Ceremony where each of the names was read aloud. After the names were read and all luminaries were lit, there was a silent lap walked for those mentioned.
Relay for Life is an annual event and is put together by a team of committee members. The 2013 members are: Doodle Johnson – Event Chair, Annie Cavin, Anthony Dalton, Amy Reed, Dereck Seals, Diana Armstrong, Jazmin Johnson, Justin Barton, Hannah Newman, and Mike Speed. Volunteers are always needed to be part of the planning committee, form teams and raise money, help with the luminaria and survivor registration and for set-up/clean-up duties the day of the event. For more information on volunteering please contact the ACS at 1-800-227-2345 or log onto www.cancer.org.
