By BECKY KISER
Hays Post
The annual Ellis County Relay for Life is returning to a favorite location this year.
The past three years the event was held in the fall at Fort Hay State University’s Gross Memorial Coliseum and at the Big Creek Crossing parking lot. Fewer people attended those years. “October is a busy time of year with lots of things going on,” acknowledged RLF volunteer Lonny Claycamp.
This time, the local organizers decided to go back to the tried and true–late spring at the Hays Middle School track.
The 2017 fundraiser for the American Cancer Society is Sat., June 10, 3 to 11 p.m. at the HMS track, 201 W. 29th.
This is the 32nd year of Relay For Life nationally, according to Claycamp, who is a cancer survivor. The 2017 Relay has a Dr. Seuss theme with the slogan “We Don’t Like Cancer Here or There… We Don’t Like Cancer Anywhere!!!”
“So many things with the American Cancer Society are done through financial donations to Relay For Life,” Claycamp said.
Relay For Life sponsors Hope Lodge, home-like places across the country where patients and their families can stay at no cost when they must travel out of town for cancer treatment.
“I have personal experience myself with that from last year,” he noted.
“Look Better Feel Better” is another Relay program which is dedicated to improving the quality of life and self-esteem of people undergoing cancer treatment. “A lot of people tend to lose their hair and they get depressed about that,” Claycamp said. “The program helps them to try and stay on the upbeat.”
Most of the money raised by Relays goes to research done by and on behalf of the American Cancer Society.
“The survival rate continues to grow because of that research funded by donations, getting them closer and closer to that cure. There are cures for some of the cancers now and we’re working harder towards others.”
Another change this year will come during the luminary ceremony when the names are read of people who succumbed to the disease or are still fighting it. For the first time, Relay participants will gather on the track just before dusk and light their own luminaries for those they are honoring. In previous years, RFL Committee members lit the thousands of luminaries lining the walking track.
“This way you’ve got a little more personal touch,” Claycamp said.
Saturday’s event in Hays will include the traditional survivor and caregivers laps followed by a balloon launch, with the opening ceremony kicking it off at 6 p.m. A gift basket auction, open to the public, is at 7 p.m. Knockerball of Hays will be on site with the pay-to-play proceeds donated to RFL. Taco Shop will serve tacos at 5 p.m. with a free will offering.
The Drive FORE Cancer golf tournament, sponsored by Eagle Communications, held in conjunction with RFL is Fri., June 9, at the Fort Hays Municipal Golf Course.
The Relay For Life Survivor Supper will be held in August with more details to come.
Luminaries can still be purchased. More information is available by calling Mary Ann Randa at (785) 623-1971 and on the Ellis County Relay For Life Facebook page.