The first ever Northern Blair Relay for Life event is just a few months away and organizers say there is plenty of time to organize teams and help raise money for researching one of the leading killers of Americans.
The event is scheduled for July 25 and 26 at Bellwood Memorial Stadium. All proceeds from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society.
“We’re excited about bringing this important event to the people who live in the northern area of Blair County,” said Nancy Frantz, chairperson of the event. “This year, our goal is just to bring the event here and show people how fun and exciting a relay can be. We want this to be an annual event and want the community to become involved as much as possible.”
The first Relay for Life event occurred 17 years ago, but the concept of the idea came years earlier.
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society. He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed – running marathons.
In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised $27,000 to fight cancer. That first year, Dr. Klatt’s friends, family and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.
While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Months later, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, 19 teams took part in the first team relay event on the track at the colorful, historical Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield.
Ten years later and because of the overwhelming success, Relay for Life was declared the Society’s signature activity.
The event celebrates survivors; funds research advancements and cancer education; inspires the public to become involved in the Society’s advocacy efforts; and makes important services possible for patients and their families.
Now, the event is coming to Northern Blair County. The event is scheduled for July 25 and 26.
“We’re looking for more teams to participate,” said Frantz. “Right now, we have eight signed on and we’re hoping to have at least 22 at the time of the event. Our goal for this first year is $22,222..”
Teams can be made up of 8 to 15 individuals and can be a group of friends or business employees. Teams are asked to raise money through donations and fundraising activities leading up to the event. At the event, teams are required to have at least one member of the team walking around the track at all times.
“Some teams have been raising money for months,” said Frantz. “Although it’s not a contest to see who can raise the most funds, there are prizes awarded.”
For example, DelGrosso’s team has only one fundraiser each year, but it is a rather large one that brought more than $5,000 to Altoona’s event last year. Other teams sell candy bars or hoagies or just ask community residents for donations.
Teams also take on a theme. The theme for the July event will focus on western motif. Frantz said teams are encouraged to dress like they were in the Old Wild West and establish “home bases” around this central theme.
Organizers of the event are still working out the finer details of the event; however, it was noted there will be clowns, facepainting, hay rides, a dunking booth and karaoke. Also, a cancer survivor dinner is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Friday evening, which will be followed by the “Survivor Walk.”
To help raise funds to keep this first-ever event going, organizers have slated a benefit golf tournament at the Sinking Valley Golf Course on June 18. Cost to participate is $100 for each person of a four-person team. All proceeds will benefit the American Cancer Society Northern Blair Relay For Life and the operational costs associated with it.
Registration for the event is scheduled from 11 a.m. to noon. The shotgun-start will begin at noon. Following the golf, a dinner reception is scheduled from 4:30-6 p.m.
Organizers are also looking for people who can volunteer to help with the program. Frantz said the group would like to find people interested in helping with the ceremonies, luminaries and the golf tournament.
For more information concerning the Relay For Life, the golf tournament or the American Cancer Society, contact Frantz at 742-9158 or e-mail at nfrantz@aol.com.
