Relay for Life lasts 12 hours for a reason.
“It symbolizes somebody’s journey through cancer,” said Erin Kelly, Relay for Life of Williamsburg’s event chair.
You start the event full of energy, she said, but as the night continues and the hours pass, you become tired, tempted to give up. Near the end, you regain momentum.
At the event’s end, “it’s just worth it,” Kelly said.
Whether you stay for minutes or hours, Relay for Life of Williamsburg will be worth it. The 16th annual event takes place May 20-21 at Warhill High School, with a western theme and a tagline to “Give Cancer the Boot.”
“Cancer is something that affects all of us, either close family members or friends or colleagues, people we know,” said honorary chair Jeanne Zeidler, president and CEO of Williamsburg Health Foundation.
“When that happens,” she continued, “people feel powerless. They feel isolated. And this event gives us an opportunity to come together as a community, and be strong and make a strong statement.”
Last year, the local Relay raised more than $225,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS). Since 1946, the ACS has dedicated more than $4 billion to cancer research. The nonprofit also provides transportation assistance and other support services for patients.
This year’s goal is $230,000. So far, teams and participating individuals have raised nearly $150,000, said publicity chair Amy Ritchie. Fundraising will continue at the event and into the summer.
As fun as the main event is — with live music, dancing, themed laps, vendors and a kids zone — it’s a time of remembrance and emotion, of camaraderie and celebration, of healing and hope.
“Even if people aren’t part of a team or if they haven’t been fundraising, we still encourage people to come and just experience it,” Ritchie said. “Walk the track for a memory or in honor of their own loved ones.”
And, she said, “the sun is going to shine.”
Bridges can be reached by phone at 757-345-2342.
Key info
When: 7 p.m., May 20 to 7 a.m., May 21
Where: Warhill High School, 4615 Opportunity Way
Info: www.RelayforLife.org/WilliamsburgVA
Main events
5 p.m. – Survivor and caregiver dinner (reservations can be made at 591-8330)
7 p.m. – Survivors and caregivers lap, led by Yorktown Alumni Fifes and Drums
7:20 p.m. – Opening ceremony
7:45 p.m. – Kids lap
9 p.m. – Luminaria ceremony
11:45 p.m. – Team parade
12 a.m. – Line dancing
1 a.m. – Zumba
2 a.m. – Sports lap
2:15 a.m. – Birthday celebration
2:30 a.m. – Musical chairs lap
5 a.m. – Salute to Heroes’ lap
6 a.m. – Breakfast
7 a.m. – Closing ceremony and dove release
