By Jillian Quinlan
Clarkston News Intern

The fourth annual Relay for Life will be held at Clarkston Middle School July 19-20. This 24-hour event raises money for the American Cancer Society that will be used for research, advocacy, services and education.
The relay consists of teams of volunteers who raise money, before the event, however they chose. At the relay, the teams are required to have one person walking the track at all times. Teams usually consist of 12-15 people of any age, however, they can be much larger. Local high school students have a team of 50 people called the Cancer Slayers that raised $10,000 last year. This year their goal is $20,000.
At the current time there are 25 teams ready to participate in the event, but volunteers are hoping for more. People interested in forming a team should gather up friends, family and co-workers and sign up on-line at www.clarkstonrelayforlife.com
‘Different teams raise different amounts of money. The top team last year raised $13,000. Other teams brought anywhere from $500 to $2,000. It is what the team wants to put in,? Patty Blaine, relay volunteer said.
There is a minimum of $150 per team unless that team has a corporate sponsor. Many local businesses are getting involved such as, Waterfall Jewelers, Clarkston Family Dental and St. Joe’s Hospital.
The event will be much more than just a relay and is jammed packed with things to do. It will begin with a lap by cancer survivors. After dark luminaries, that have been purchased for survivors or for the memory of someone, will be lit around the track.
‘You can’t help but be moved by the atmosphere. Survivors are walking around with survivor t-shirts on, and some are just little kids. The luminary ceremony is the most emotional event, but then we pick things back up,? Blaine said.
There will be clowns, karaoke, bagpipes, a 24-hour disc jockey, and performances by local bands. Also, the teams, which usually have a theme, decorate a campsite and host little fundraiser throughout the day.
? You have to see it to believe it,? Blaine said.