Oxford’s Relay for Life hasn’t even happened yet and already its dedicated participants have banked a whopping $31,109 in donations, as of Tuesday night, to help fight cancer.
‘Right now, we’re ahead of the game,? said Judy Royster, who’s chairing the community-wide fund-raiser for the second time.
Last year, at this time, the Relayers had banked $20,132 prior to the big event.
The best part is this year’s total will grow and grow when the Relay takes over the Oxford High School football stadium this weekend.
According to Royster,15 teams with 155 participants are signed up to walk, jog and run around the OHS track for 24 consecutive hours because ‘cancer never sleeps.? The event will start promptly at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30 and wrap up at 10 a.m. Sunday, May 31.
‘Anyone and everyone is welcome to come walk the track,? she said.
Relay for Life is the signature event for the American Cancer Society. Every dollar raised goes toward research, education, advocacy, and aiding cancer patients and their families.
‘It’s about a community taking up the fight,? Royster said. ‘We want to make sure that the next generation doesn’t have to hear the words ‘you have cancer.??
Royster lost her father, Ken Acheson, to kidney cancer after a painful 2?-year battle.
As always, this year’s Relay for Life will feature tons of fun activities and wacky competitions as well as first-class entertainment throughout the 24-hour period.
‘It’s a jam-packed schedule of events,? Royster said. ‘We have more activities than we have ever had. The teams have gone out of their way to come up with some really creative fund-raising events and make it a big county fair kind of atmosphere for everyone.?
From the popular Mr. Relay Contest (hairy men in dresses begging for dollars) and the box car derby (cardboard vehicles powered by feet) to performances by the Oxford Jazz Band and the OMS Thunder Drummers, this year’s Relay promises to be non-stop fun.
But there will also be touching, emotional events such as the cancer survivor recognition lap at 1 p.m. Saturday and the Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m. The latter honors those who lost their battle with cancer and those who are still fighting with candle-lit bags placed around the track.
Royster is urging everyone to visit this year’s Relay for Life and find a way to participate. Walk the track in honor of someone. Contribute a few bucks at a team campsite. Listen to someone’s story or share your own.
‘The public is welcome to come and be a part of this,? she said.