April 4, 2008

LIVINGSTON, Ala.--Hard work and countless hours of preparation pay off Friday, April 11 when the community gathers for Relay For Life of Sumter County at UWA's Pruitt Gym beginning at 6 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 $53,480.

The theme of this year’s Relay For Life is “Rock-n-Roll Relay,” with Elvis Presley impersonator Shane Tucker performing as the headline entertainer. Other performers include Miss UWA Stevie Bolen and a variety of local talent. Teams will decorate their campsites based on the musical theme, and 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, a small donation buys children unlimited play on the inflatable space jump, if weather permits. 

Relay For Life bring everyone together to celebrate, remember and fight back. 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 barbecue dinner compliments of Larkin Oil Company.

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 event.

New this year is the Fight Back ceremony, which allows everyone touched by cancer and those who desperately want to put an end to the disease to make a commitment to save lives by taking up the fight.

The 26 participating Relay for Life teams, who have raised funds through months of hard work, include Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority, Bank of York, UWA Campus School, City of Livingston, Deep South Network, Di's Hope, First Presbyterian Church, Hill Hospital "Hill Top Rockers," Mommies For A Cure, Phi Mu sorority, Rush Medical Group, SCO, Inc./Head Start "Rockin' and Rollin' for a Cure--One Day at a Time," Sumter County Courthouse "Good Golly Miss Molly--A Shakin' & A Shoutin' for Relay," Sumter County Department of Human Resources and a number of teams representing the Sumter County Board of Education: Bell-Brown Career/Technical Center, Kinterbish Jr. High School, Livingston Elementary School, Livingston High School “Smokin' Aces,” Livingston Jr. High School, North Sumter Jr. High School, Sumter County Alternative School "The Rockers N Rollers," Sumter County Board of Education Central Office, Sumter County Board of Education Materials Center, Sumter County Board of Education Transportation Department, Sumter County High School and York West End Jr. High School.

Bank of York is serving as this year’s title sponsor. Gold level sponsors include Legacy Hospice and the Livingston Lions Club. Larkin Oil Company is sponsoring the survivor dinner. Silver level sponsors include Alfa Insurance-Grant Buck, Agent; Farm & Builders Supply; Larkin Oil Company; Piggly Wiggly of York; Sumter Health & Rehabilitation; Sumter Insurance Agencies; UWA Student Nursing Association; and West Alabama Bank. Bronze level sponsors include Black Belt Land & Realty; City of Livingston; Cross Law Firm; Hill Hospital of Sumter County; McElroy Truck Lines; Mossy Oak Properties/Mossy Oak Land and Timber; Nathan G. Watkins Jr., Attorney at Law; Regions Bank; State Farm Insurance-Joe D. Moore, Agent; Tres Hermanos Authentic Mexican Restaurant; and the UWA Student Government Association.

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. Join the fight by attending Relay For Life of Sumter County. For more information, please call 205-652-3892.