County rallies to raise money to fight cancer

By STACY MILLBERG - Staff Writer - smillberg@starbeacon.com
Star Beacon

June 19, 2008 10:55 pm

— JEFFERSON — Ashtabula County residents will rally this weekend to raise money for the American Cancer Society at the 10th annual Relay for Life at the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds.
Formerly held at Grand River Academy, the Relay for Life has grown by leaps and bounds and has made the fairgrounds its home for the past two years, said Jacque Burnett, one of the coordinators.
Also for the second year, the Geneva Eagle’s F.O.E. 2243 will serve as the Power Purple Sponsor of the event. The event is being held Friday, with registration beginning at 5 p.m., through noon on Saturday.
This year 55 teams are registered for the event, and more than 150 cancer survivors are registered to participate, Burnett said.
“That’s the most we’ve ever had,” she said.
The opening ceremony will take place at 6 p.m. Friday, and the cancer survivors will make the first lap at 6:20 p.m. Phil’s Catering will cater a dinner at 6:30 p.m. Following the dinner, one member from each team must be on the track at all times until the event’s conclusion Saturday morning, she said.
“The idea behind that is cancer never sleeps,” Burnett said.
The teams have obtained sponsors and held fundraisers and will have campsites set up at the event for more fundraising opportunities. At 9:30 p.m., a luminaria ceremony will be held. Burnett said the ceremony pays reverence to those living with cancer and those who lost the fight.
“It’s very emotional but also uplifting,” she said.
Participants light candles in bags displaying the names of the individuals stricken with cancer, and deceased cancer victims, during the ceremony.
“I’m a cancer survivor,” Burnett said. “I lost my brother to cancer three years ago. I think everyone has been touched by cancer. This is a chance for the community to participate in the fight.”
All proceeds from the event benefit the American Cancer Society. Last year, Ashtabula County raised $67,000 at the event, almost double its goal of $35,000. This year, the event goal is $55,000, but Burnett said the hope is to surpass the goal again.
The event is free and open to the public. An awards ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday to conclude the event.