Friday was a special day in Great Bend for many people as the Barton County Relay For Life Event got underway at Veterans Memorial Park. This day is to honor everyone that has been touched by cancer in different ways and a way to pay tribute to the ones that lost the battle.
“This is event is very important to the people that have been touched by cancer and to the community as well,” event co-lead Michelle Robinson said. “The American Cancer Society focuses on research and without that research, we do not get new cures or treatments. So being able to help support ACS is very important.”
The event started with the opening ceremony which was lead by a flag line from the American Legion Riders from American Legion Post 180, After the opening ceremony, there was the survivors lap where people that have beat cancer takes a lap and gets cheered on. And at 7:15 p.m. the volleyball tournament started with other activities like the bouncy house, food venders and people walking their laps around the park.
At 9 p.m. the Luminaria Ceremony started which is a ceremony of remembrance and hope.
It is a way to honor survivors and those who have lost the battle to cancer. It is a time to grieve for those we have lost, to reflect on our own or loved ones cancer experience, and to find hope that tomorrow holds the promise of a cancer-free world.
And at midnight the Fight Back Ceremony which is a way to honor the memories of all the people that cancer has taken away from us. People must fight back to protect their children, brothers, sisters, parents, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and friends from this disease. The last event scheduled for the night was the closing ceremony.
History of Relay For Life
Founded by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Washington in 1985, the Relay For Life movement unites communities across the globe with more than 3,000 events. Symbolizing the battle waged around the clock by those facing cancer, the event can last up to 24 hours and empowers communities to take a stand against cancer. Dollars raised by 1.3 million Relay participants across the country help the American Cancer Society attack cancer in dozens of ways – from developing breakthrough therapies to building supportive communities, from providing empowering resources to deploying activists to raise awareness.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Its Global Headquarters are located in Atlanta, Georgia. The American Cancer Society’s mission is to save lives, celebrate lives, and lead the fight for a world without cancer.
