Jefferson County Relay for Life looks for another record year

Relay for Life brings together people from all walks of life. Last year, those people in Jefferson County set a record, and not just for the area.

Jefferson County Relay for Life raised $324,000 in 2009.

"This was the most raised at any Relay for Life event in the eastern division, which encompasses all of New York and New Jersey," said Donald J. Boshart, the area's community executive for the American Cancer Society. "It was quite an accomplishment for the volunteers."

A total of 299 relays were held in the division last year.

Team members for Relay for Life plan fundraising activities that are held throughout the year. Team officials send funds to the local Cancer Society office as they are raised.

The main Relay for Life event is held at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds.

This year's Relay for Life runs from 6 p.m. June 11 until 10 a.m. June 12. Proceeds go to the AmericanCancer Society to support its lifesaving research and patient services programs.

"We invite all cancer survivors to attend our Relay For Life Survivors' reception (June 11) held in conjunction with Samaritan Medical Center's 'Survivors Day' that begins at 5 p.m.," Mr. Boshart said.

Following the reception, a parade will begin at 6 p.m. in the parking lot of the Social Services building on Massey Street. The route goes down Coffeen Street and ends at the fairgrounds.

At the fairgrounds, cancer survivors do a lap around the track. That's followed by a caregivers lap. The team walk follows, in which one or more team members must be on the track at all times until the following morning.

At 10 p.m. June 11, a luminary ceremony will be held, in which luminary bags, sold prior to the event, are lit and lined up along the track.The 2010 honorary Jefferson County Relay for Life chairperson, Katy E. Nortz, 10, of Dexter, will share her story.

"It's a 20-minute quiet time," said Mr. Boshart. "It's a time we take to reflect."

He noted approximately 2,000 luminary bags will be lit.

This will be the 15th year for Relay for Life in Jefferson County. The events have raised a total of just more than $3 million. This year's event will have approximately 85 teams with more than 1,500 participants.

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Relay for Life originated in 1985 in Tacoma, Wash., where Dr. Gordy Klatt wanted to raise money for his local American Cancer Society office. He spent 24 hours circling a track at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles. Friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him.

Last year, more than 5,000 Relay for Life events were held in more than 20 countries.