Local Students to Honor Cancer Survivors at 2011 Stow-Munroe Falls Relay for Life Event

Students have been busy designing thoughtful birthday cards and placemats for cancer survivors which will be presented during the Stow-Munroe Falls Relay for Life this weekend.

The Relay for Life event is at the – North, 4300 Allen Rd. beginning at 10 a.m. June 4 and ending at 10 a.m. June 5.

students designed birthday cards, and  students and Club USA students crafted placemats which will be used during the survivor dinner.

“The students are very service-oriented, and this year they took on the Relay for Life for the first time,” said event co-chair Norene Jones. “In addition to making the birthday cards, students also created a big banner that reads 'Happy Birthday.'”

The American Cancer Society's motto is “we celebrate more birthdays.”

Students learned the universal color for cancer is purple, and each individual cancer has a different color. For example, pink is the symbolic color of breast cancer, and blue represents colon cancer. Students also discussed personal stories about people they know in their lives who have been affected by cancer —both children and adults.

Cancer survivors will kick off the event with a celebratory lap around the track. A complimentary dinner for survivors and their caregivers will be at 6 p.m. followed by a luminaria ceremony. Lights will be lit on the track in honor of survivors, and in memory of those lost to the disease.

“The basic concept is to celebrate with the first lap, remember during the luminaria and fight back before dawn in a ceremony representing hope which will begin at 4 a.m," said Jones. "Participants then pledge to take action to help the fight against cancer through raising awareness or taking action.”

Currently  there are 354 registered participants, and those interested in joining the efforts can still register up until the event.

“Even if someone who wants to participate raises $1 that’s one more than we would have had if they didn’t join. We really encourage youth participation because the young people are the ones who will have to keep it going in the future," she said.

For every dollar raised, 81 cents goes to one of four areas of the American Cancer Society: research, advocacy, education and patient services.

Jones and co-chair Terri Vito hope to meet the fundraising goal of $83,000 this year. In addition to individual participants securing contributions, local residents may have noticed a purple toilet making its way through the community. The toilet has become a source for fundraising efforts.

“A $10 donation will get the toilet moved out of your yard,” explained Jones. “It can be removed and sent to a friend for $20, or a $30 donation ensures it won’t return. In less than two weeks, the toilet campaign has raised more than $800.”

Activities for all ages are planned during the 24-hour event. Twenty-four hours represents a day in the life of a cancer patient – meaning cancer never sleeps, according to Jones.

Carnival games will be from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday. There will also be a dunk tank, rock climbing wall from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., a corn hole tournament from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., as well as movies for children who will be staying with parents.

Midnight madness is scheduled indoors and will include volleyball, dodgeball, kickball and swimming from 11 p.m. to 2 a.m. For those who choose to swim laps instead of walk, the laps will count toward fundraising efforts.

Entertainment will also include music, dance groups, a competition for Mr. and Ms. Relay where people dress as the opposite gender and collect money around track, Relay Idol and more. A concession stand will also be on site.

For more information, call Norene Jones at 330-688-2809 or email her at norene.jones@gmail.com. Visit the Stow-Munroe Falls Relay for Life Facebook page here.