It's time once again for McDuffie County residents to celebrate life and break records. The 11th annual local Relay for Life begins at 6 p.m. at Thomson High School. The overnight event celebrates cancer survivorship and raises money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society.
For the past several years, McDuffie County has ranked either first or second in the nation for funds raised per capita for its population. RFL Co-Chair Bob Knox, Jr. said Monday that the county has already raised $155,000. Last year, McDuffie County raised over $250,000, which is the goal for this year.
"We should have a great Relay again this year," Mr. Knox said. "We have about 2,300 people involved in it one way or another. ... and we are preparing for another extraordinarily good Relay."
During the event, 55 teams will gather under their tents around the walking track, and at least one team member will take turns walking or running laps around the track all night. Mr. Knox said 250 cancer survivors will walk the first lap. Prior to and during the event, the teams hold fundraisers, such as raffles or bake sales.
"There's been a lot of activity going on, people holding sales and things, and I'm hopeful we will hit $250,000 again," Mr. Knox said.
This year's Relay is dedicated to Dr. Joseph Greene, a local resident who was treated for colon cancer in 1982, became a national spokesperson for the ACS in 2006, and who lost his life to cancer in November of last year. The theme of the McDuffie Relay this year is "Joe Greene: A Living Legacy."
"We will have a lot of nice comments about him during the kick off ceremony at 6:15, and his presence will be felt throughout the weekend," Mr. Knox said.
Local residents have a new way to join the fight against cancer this year by taking part in the Cancer Prevention Study 3. The cancer society will have three tables set up at the Relay in which participants can complete a survey, provide a waist measurement and have a certified phlebotomist collect a small blood sample. Participants can never have been diagnosed with cancer, must be between the ages of 30-60 and be willing to commit to a long-term study.
"It was a real honor for us to be chosen," Mr. Knox said. "And hopefully they can use the data to figure out traits of people who don't have cancer, and that will help them figure out how to deal with it better."
For more information on the McDuffie County Relay for Life, visit http://events.cancer.org/rflmcduffiecounty or call Mary Cain at 706-595-1841.
2008 RELAY SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
6 p.m.
National Anthem -
THS Tri M Music Honor Society
Opening Ceremony
6:30 p.m.
THS Jazz Band
7 p.m.
The Sparklers - Director Becky Morlan
7:30 p.m.
THS Bulldog Brigade Auxiliary Corp
8 p.m.
The Dirt Road Band (gospel group from Sweetwater Baptist)
8:30 p.m.
New Hope Extreme - The Cowboy Church -Forsaken
9 p.m.
Luminary Service - Special music by Winn Oliver AME Church
Luminary Service - Mark Cheek,
Bagpipes
9:30 p.m.
Aaron Dixon - solo piano
10 p.m.
Bethel Baptist Church Choir
10:30 p.m.
17 South
11 p.m.
17 South
11:30 p.m.
Nate Barbour Band
Midnight
Before Stars Fall
12:30 a.m.
Neidhart - Ben Dixon
1 a.m.
Trip Powell
1:30 a.m.
Chris Sorely and
Jerrica Bell -
Acoustic Guitars
