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Relay for Life set for Friday

By Lindsay Slater
The Times-Journal

Published April 30, 2009

DeKalb County will hold its annual Relay for Life event to “celebrate, remember, and fight back” today at the VFW Fairgrounds.

Relay for Life is an event to celebrate those who beat cancer, remember those who lost their battle with the disease and to fight back, said event co-chairman Brian Baine.

The event will begin at 6 p.m. with an opening ceremony followed by a survivor lap to begin the relay.

“Caregivers will join in for the next lap and then a parade of teams,” Baine said.

Baine said there are some themed laps that include a quitters’ lap, for those who are trying to quit tobacco products, and a patriotic lap.

Eclipse will provide entertainment starting at 7 p.m.

Other events include a womanless beauty pageant, raffles, items for sale and food.

“This is a 12-hour event lasting from 6 p.m. today to 6 on Saturday morning,” Baine said. “Many people have the misconception that they must walk for the entire time, and that’s not the case.”

Baine said it’s a community event and anyone can come participate even if the disease has not affected their lives.

There will be a booth set up to buy luminaria, a light to either honor or remember someone who is living with cancer, survived it or lost their battle with the disease.

Bonita Eileen will perform a song written by Fort Payne Middle School teacher Chris Roberts during the special luminaria ceremony.

“People are celebrating the lives of those who have survived cancer and everyone is out cheering them on and people are remembering those who lost their fight,” Baine said.

Baine said this year, DeKalb County has about 35 teams.

Survivor Chairwoman Kristi Poe has been involved with Relay for Life for the last six years and said the event is extra special to her because she works at the Cancer Care Center of DeKalb.

“To me, it’s a very rewarding job, especially since I work at the Cancer Care Center,” Poe said. “Unfortunately, I’ve seen some lose, but I’ve also seen some survive and, in both cases, I make a lot of great friends.”

Poe said she has her good days and bad but overall, she loves what she does.

“There are so many different emotions I experience through working here,” Poe said. “I definitely love what I do.”

If anyone wants to be on the Relay for Life committee next year or start a team, call Brian Baine at 996-4101.

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