Get ready to RELAY!

By Maureen Chodaba

The Relay For Life of Marco Island, presented by Robert J. Flugger, is rapidly approaching. On April 9, Mackle Park, in all its beauty and natural splendor, will be the site of this community festival and celebration of life.

A team event, this year’s Relay For Life takes the theme “Relay Road Trip – Destination – END CANCER!” As you take your road trip around the Relay track, you will want to make stops at the tents, each one representing a fundraising team, and each one depicting a state. The teams have been working diligently to raise funds in the fight against cancer, while

also thinking of creative ways in which to showcase their state.

One team, Buster’s World, representing New York in the “road trip,” plans to show a video slideshow set to the tune of “New York Minute” by Don Henley. The slideshow will feature pictures of survivors, caregivers, and loved ones lost to the disease. The team captain, a former dental hygienist from New York State, will be distributing toothbrushes and other dental products, donated by the Sunstar America Corporation, to all who stop by to make a donation at their tent.

You may need that toothbrush after visiting Team BMO’s tent. Portraying Indiana, BMO will be offering

pulled pork and corn on the cob. The Marriott’s team, representing Texas, will offer burgers and chips. There will be great fun with a Paint & Party demonstration by Masterpiece Mixers at the Keller Williams tent. The “Paint the Town Purple” campaign will feature artwork donated by local artists for a raffle. The City of Hope team will offer Hawaiian treats – stop by for leis and tropical food and beverages. At the Relay For Life there will be activities for children, games and live entertainment all day.

Relay For Life is a fun event, but it is also a time to honor survivors, caregivers and

remember those who have lost their battle to cancer. The day begins with the Survivor’s Lap, followed by the Caregiver’s Lap. The Sandy Holdgate Spirit of Relay Award will be presented to a survivor. This year, a special Caregiver’s Award is also being presented. Following the opening ceremonies, survivors, caregivers and their families are invited to a lunch of delicious food donated by our local restaurants. And for the first time, at 5:30 PM survivors and caregivers are invited to an ice cream social with bingo.

As the sun sets on our island, the Luminaria Ceremony will begin. The term “luminaria” traces its origin to the

classical Latin word “luminare,” meaning window, and to the word “lumen,” meaning light. The Relay For Life luminaria truly are windows of light, as they let us look back at the light of those we have lost, and look forward to the brightness of the future for survivors.

Please join us on April 9 from 10 AM until 10 PM at Mackle Park, 1361 Andalusia Terrace, Marco Island. Start a team of your own, join an existing team, or just stop by to enjoy the day. Visit www.relay.acsevents.org, or like the Facebook page: American Cancer Society Relay For Life Marco Island Unit. For more information, please contact the local office of the American Cancer Society at 239-642-8800 or Nikkie.Sardelli@cancer.org.