This weekend, April 18 & 19, will be the American Cancer Society’s 10th annual Relay for Life of Santee at Lake 5 of Santee Lakes. This wonderful event helps to raise money for cancer research and treatment; but more than that, it celebrates those who have battled cancer and remembers those who lost the battle. This is a whole-family affair, with activities for the kids, a teen dance party, and more. Participants walk a course over a 24-hour period, to remember that “cancer never sleeps.”
The Relay kicks off at 8:00 am on Saturday with a Survivors Breakfast to honor those who have successfully fought cancer (although the Team Site Set-up runs from 5:00 to 10:00 pm on Friday). Opening ceremonies will start at 10:00, followed by a Survivors Lap at 10:30. At noon live music and entertainment will begin, along with the Kids Camp Krewe with arts and crafts, relay races, scavanger hunts, and much more. One of the highlights of the Relay is the Luminaria Ceremony at 8:00 pm, where hundreds of the candle holders are set out to light the way for overnight walkers. The teen dance party starts at 9:00, and walkers will continue until 10:00 am on Sunday – ending with a Fight Back and Closing Ceremony.
If you are interested in getting involved, there are several ways you can do this. If you want to walk, you can still put together a team, or you can join an existing team. If time is a factor, you can donate in the name of one of the teams, or in honor of a loved one who has battled cancer. Currently the top teams in terms of donations are the Santee Firefighters and Friends, Dressbarn Babes, Pat’s Pals, Chocolate Raspberry Penguins, and Sheraton Mission Valley. In terms of number of team members, the leaders are Dressbarn Babes, Troop for Hope, Santee Firefighters and Friends, Santana Sophomores, and Chocolate Raspberry Penguins. But if you are going to join a team, why not join one of the smaller teams that could really use the support.
For more information, check out the Relay for Life of Santee site, or e-mail Kristie Robinson, Online Chair, at Santee_Relay4Life_Online@yahoo.com or Robin Fries, American Cancer Society Event Chair, at Robin4relay@yahoo.com,