Join the Nacogdoches community in the fight against cancer at the 12th annual Relay For Life of Nacogdoches County from 7 p.m. Friday, March 4, to 7 a.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Nacogdoches County Expo Center.
More than 50 teams of community supporters will spend the evening raising cancer awareness and funds to benefit the American Cancer Society. Each team with have a representative on the track at all times to signify the endurance and strength it takes to fight cancer, and, because cancer never sleeps, the event lasts overnight.
Local organizations, businesses, friends and families will line the track in decorated booths selling food, crafts and other items to raise money, while live music and games will entertain the crowd. Other activities include a chili cook-off, washers tournament, silent auction, contests, raffles and a “midnight snack” pancake supper sponsored by the Nacogdoches Kiwanis Club. The event is free and open to the public.
A special dinner hosted by the Nacogdoches Jaycees will be held at 6 p.m. to honor cancer survivors and caregivers. Following the dinner, a Survivor’s Lap around the track will kick off the event and recognize survivors while supporters cheer them on. Opening ceremonies will begin with the 2011 Hero of Hope, caregiver Tammi Ogletree of Livingston.
A moving luminaria ceremony will be held at 9 p.m. when the arena will be lit with thousands of luminaries in memory of those lost to cancer and in honor of those who are still fighting the disease.
“A Relay for Life event provides the community with an opportunity to celebrate successes in defeating cancer, as well as a chance to pay tribute to the lives of loved ones lost to cancer,” said Kinnie Parker, co-chair of this year’s event.
“Relay is about instilling a spirit of hope and faith for a cure, and building strength to recover and manage the unmanageable.”
The event is also sponsored by Bancorp South, Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital, Nacogdoches Medical Center, Lehmann Eye Center, Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, Bethany Home Health, The Daily Sentinel, Hotel Fredonia, New Horizons Plastic Surgery and the Nacogdoches County Expo.
