Walkers step up for a cure; Relay for Life this Saturday

MIDDLEBURY — The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event at Middlebury College will take place this Saturday, April 30, from noon-8 p.m. The event helps raise funds to support scientific research, as well as other Cancer Society programs, such as Hope Lodge, Road to Recovery Program and the Look Good Feel Better Program.

Relay for Life Community Manager Leslye Kenney said she has had the pleasure of working with the student committee members including, local community businesses and residents. 

“Some of these students have a personal connection to cancer but all are excited to be able to join the Relay For Life of Middlebury College event leaders in preparing and organizing this event,” said Kenney, a cancer survivor herself. “They want to help raise awareness, funds and support for their community.

“Together, the students, the community, local business owners and myself, are making sure that others walking this journey are not alone.”

This Relay for Life is an eight-hour event that serves as a way to celebrate survivors and caregivers, and remember loved ones who have lost the battle with cancer.

This Saturday’s event includes, games and activities, grilled hamburgers, hot dogs and veggie burgers and a special survivor cake to help celebrate survivors and their caregivers joining together and celebrating more birthdays.

One of the features of the Relay for Life experience is the moving Luminaria Ceremony, which lights up the night with decorated paper bags containing votive candles. Each luminaria is personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer. Bags can be purchased for $5 and each one represents a person.

The Relay will be moved to a different venue on campus. The event will take place on the east side of Battell Hall, which is off College Street. Parking will be off Shannon Street in the parking lot behind the Johnson Memorial Building and the Wright Theater.

Survivors and caregivers from the community were invited to a special reception on April 26 at Storm Café where John and Beth Hughes were kind enough to donate their restaurant and host the special survivor/caregiver reception. Holmes Jacob from Two Brothers also donated that restaurant on March 12 for The Relay For Life of Middlebury College first ever Community Kick Off to help raise awareness about cancer the American Cancer Society resources, Kenney said.

According to Kenney, it is not too late to register or join an existing team. For more information, visit www.relayforlife.org/middleburycollege.

“People can still register even up through the day of and donate anytime as the donations are accepted until Aug. 31,” she said.