A crowd will gather this Friday to raise funds to fight cancer and to remember loved ones who lost their battle.
The Anson County Relay for Life will begin at 6 p.m. Friday with an opening ceremony celebrating anyone who has struggled with cancer. According to the website of the American Cancer Society Relay for Life, all Relays around the nation have the opening ceremony, a 6:15 p.m. survivor’s lap, a 6:30 p.m. caregiver’s lap, a 9 p.m. Luminaria ceremony and the midnight closing ceremony in common.
Once the beginning special laps are completed, the teams will be able to begin their laps on the track at Anson High School. According to the Relay’s website, one member from each fundraising team is asked to walk at all times during the event.
Luminaria bags can be signed to remember those who have died from cancer or in honor of caregivers. Friends or family members may write the deceased’s name on the bag and sign it in remembrance of their loved one.
This year, the goal is $32,500, according to the Anson County page on the Relay website. As of Monday night, $18,479.62 had been raised. The top donor listed was Anson County Schools with $6,472, followed by State Employees Credit Union with $3,185 and Meadowview Terrace with $2,040.
Last year, some fundraising teams had raised several thousand dollars more than what had been reported on the website by the time of the event. By the time of the Relay last year, the schools had raised over $19,000 of an initial $18,500 goal, the team’s leader, Anne Hyatt, said at the time.
Fundraising events always begin early on in Anson. Amy and Chris Turner host annual Christmastime open houses at their home to raise money, and teams begin fundraising. Some county school system employees made a donation on certain days in exchange for being able to wear jeans rather than dressier slacks or skirts this school year.
To learn more about Relay for Life, follow Anson County fundraising efforts, join a team or to donate, visit relayforlife.org.
Reach reporter Imari Scarbrough at 704-994-5471 and follow her on Twitter @ImariScarbrough.
