April 9, 2007

LIVINGSTON, Ala.—Hard work and countless hours of preparation pay off Friday, April 13 when the community gathers for Relay For Life of Sumter County. Relay will be held at the UWA softball fields beginning at 5:30 p.m. This fund-raising event is filled with activities, fun and community spirit, and all funds raised at Relay For Life support American Cancer Society programs designed to reduce cancer incidence and mortality through research, education, advocacy and patient services. The community is invited to participate in Relay and help Sumter County reach its goal of $56,190.

 
The theme of this year’s Relay For Life is “Relay Jones and the Quest for a Cure.” Teams will decorate their campsites based on the trio of Indiana Jones adventure motion pictures. Each team at the family-friendly event will also have games, raffles or a variety of food, from hot dogs to catfish to cotton candy, for sale at the campsites. In addition, $5 buys children unlimited play on the inflatable space jump, obstacle course and slide.  

Local radio personality Tim Craddock will serve as emcee for the event, announcing entertainment from a variety of local musicians. New this year, the Relay Idol competition will spotlight the best singer in Sumter County. The free competition, which is open to all ages and musical styles, begins at 8 p.m. Contestants can sign up at Relay, supplying their own background music. A panel of three judges will decide the winners, who each receive trophies.

Relay kicks off with the Survivors Lap, which celebrates those who won the battle against cancer. All survivors will receive a free T-shirt, medallion and barbeque dinner compliments of Larkin Oil Company. For more information about Relay’s survivor recognition, please contact Louise Boyd at 205-652-2357.

One of the most moving parts of Relay, the luminaria service at sunset will remember those lost to cancer and honor those fighting the battle. The luminaria ceremony symbolizes the hope and courage with which we continue to work toward a cure for this deadly disease. Luminarias can be purchased for a minimum donation of $5 in advance at Larkin Oil Company or at the Relay.

Participating Relay for Life teams, who have raised funds for months, include Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Bank of York, Bell Brown Career Tech Center, Deep South Network, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., Di's Hope, First Presbyterian Church, Hill Hospital, Livingston High School, Livingston IGA,  Livingston Jr. High School, Mommies 4 A Cure, Phi Mu sorority and Sigma Pi fraternity, Rush Medical Group, Sumter County Board of Education Central Office, Sumter County Courthouse, Sumter County DHR, Sumter County High School and York West End Jr. High School.

Bank of York serves as the title sponsor of this year’s Relay. The Livingston Lions Club is the activity sponsor, and a number of local businesses supported the cause as gold sponsors. The gold sponsors include Alfa Insurance, Farm & Builder Supply, Larkin Oil Company, McElroy Truck Lines, Mossy Oak Properties, Sumter Insurance, UWA Division of Nursing, UWA Student Government Association and West Alabama Bank & Trust. Silver sponsors include Black Belt Land & Realty, City of Livingston and Regions Bank. State Farm Insurance is this year’s cancer education sponsor.

The impact of cancer is clear. More than 9 million cancer survivors are living today. This year in the United States, an estimated 1.3 million people will be diagnosed with cancer. Additionally, more than 1,500 people will die of cancer each day. The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives and diminishing suffering from cancer. For more information about Relay For Life of Sumter County, please call 205-652-3892.