Relay for Life Scheduled for May 29

Many McCreary County residents will join together at the McCreary Central High School Track for the annual American Cancer Society Relay of Life of McCreary County on Friday, May 29 from 6:00 p.m. until midnight.

The Relay for Life is a free, family friendly event featuring food, live music, games, a silent auction, and lots of fun.  The local, community event celebrates local cancer survivors, remembers those who have passed away from the disease, and allows the community to fight back against the disease by raising funds for the American Cancer Society for use in research and to help meet needs of local individuals battling cancer.  The American Cancer Society also operates HOPE Lodge which provides free lodging to patients and caregivers, including several from McCreary County. This year’s sponsors are:  Don Marshall Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Nissan, Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital, Highland Telephone, Outdoor Venture Corporation, Kentucky Farm Bureau with Agent Josh Bruce, and Arby’s.  McCreary County teams include:  Team Hope-SCC McCreary Center, Forcht Bank, Lifeline Angels, Limber Legged Librarians, Little Red’s Team, Medical Miracles, Operation Hope 29:11-Never Lose Hope, Outdoor Venture Corporation, Raiders for Relay, Taylor Two, and the United Cumberland Bank Relay Team.

The Relay for Life event will open at 6:00 p.m. with Survivor Registration from 6:00 p.m. until 6:45 p.m.  The opening ceremony is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. followed by the singing of the National Anthem, Survivor Group Photo, Survivor Recognition Ceremony with presentation of pins and t-shirts, Survivor Lap, and Caregiver Lap.

Brooke Whitis, Community Manager, Relay for Life Mid-South Division, expressed the importance of the Survivor Lap.

“The Survivor Recognition and Survivor Lap are intended to give hope to those who have been diagnosed with cancer,” Whitis commented.  “It’s good to be able to see those who have survived.”

The evening will also feature a silent auction from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with winners of the auction announced at 9:30 p.m.  Team fundraisers are scheduled from 6:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m.

The Luminaria Ceremony, which honors loved ones who did not survive their battle with cancer, will take place at 10:00 p.m., and closing ceremonies are scheduled from 11:30 p.m. until midnight.

Live entertainment throughout the evening will include The Oasis, Flat Rock Missionary Baptist Church Youth, Southern Grace, Joyful Noise, Tony Carlton & Chimney Rock Boys with guest Jarrod Waters, and Ryan Patrick.

For more information, contact Brooke Whitis at 606-678-0203.