Sounds of music and celebration filled the air at Greenbrook Park Friday evening as caring neighbors from throughout our community gathered to rally support for cancer survivors and to raise money in the search for a cure and for patient services during the 14th annual Relay for Life.
As of midnight, a total of $54,836 dollars had been raised with more money still expected to come in.
This year’s theme was “Together We Fight…Together We Win!
Cancer Survivors Walk from dwayne page on Vimeo.
An hour of music preceded the opening ceremony. During the program, members of Boy Scout Troop #347 presented the colors as Suzanne Slager performed the National Anthem. The invocation was delivered by Michael Farr, Minister of the Smithville Church of God.
Cancer survivors then took center stage during the opening ceremony to give a personal testimony as to just how long they’ve been a survivor and then they took the first lap around the track as the evening’s activities got underway and Shelly Cross and Bonnie Rigsby performed a special song in honor of the cancer survivors followed by a prayer by B.J. Thomason, Minister of the Calvary Baptist Church.
Entertainment continued through midnight from various groups and soloists along with local church drama teams. Elvis even made an appearance.
Shelly Cross and Bonnie Rigsby Performing at Relay for Life from dwayne page on Vimeo.
The walking track around Greenbrook Park was lined with luminaria and a group of torches on the grounds were lit in honor or remembrance of those who have battled cancer, and those people were given special recognition later in the evening.
Cancer Survivors from dwayne page on Vimeo.
Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature event, is a fun-filled overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. Relay participants help raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue. During Relay For Life events, teams of people gather and take turns walking or running laps. The events are held overnight to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps. Through the survivors’ lap and the luminaria ceremony, the people who have faced cancer first hand are honored, and those who have been lost to this disease are remembered.
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