Annual Relay For Life to illuminate the fairgrounds

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LUCASVILLE — More than 500 of Scioto County residents are expected to join together at the Annual American Cancer Society (ACS) Relay For Life (RFL) at the Scioto County Fairgrounds June 17 from 6 p.m.-midnight to help save more lives from cancer.

The RFL movement is the world’s largest fundraising event to fight every cancer in every community, with four million participants in 6,000 events worldwide in 2015. Last year, 500 people participated in the Relay For Life of Scioto and raised $90,169.87, according to LaChona Ferguson, community manager of RFL.

“Thanks to funds raised through our Relay For Life events, the American Cancer Society has programs and services to help people with cancer and their loved ones understand cancer, manage their lives through treatment and recovery, and find the emotional support they need. And best of all, our help is free,” Ferguson said.

The teams formed in communities who complete the fundraising efforts are what makes the programs possible.

“But these programs are only available thanks to funds that are raised in every community by every team. Funds raised from this event will go to helping in the fight against cancer by contributing to cancer research, rides to treatment, hair loss and mastectomy products, college scholarships, patient lodging programs, personal cancer guides, online support, and so much more,” Ferguson said. “Together we are truly making a difference in the fight against cancer one dollar at a time. “

The event will take place from 6 p.m. to midnight at Scioto County Fairgrounds. We will open our Relay event at 6 p.m. with our annual survivor lap, followed by the caregiver lap, team lap and then on to a night of wonderful entertainment, food and fun. Please join us in celebrating the survivors, remembering those lost too soon, and continuing to support those still fighting.

Mary Alice Tanner serves as co-captain for the Silent Lions Relay For Life of the ACS. Tanner’s level of commitment to the ACS has everything to do with how her family has been struck numerous times by cancer. Tanner said the annual RFL event held at the Scioto County Fairgrounds is extremely important.

“We are hopeful that we can get the community to come out and support us at the fairgrounds on June 17th,” Tanner said. “We are really looking forward to this event. It is really important, and we want everyone to come out and be a part of it.”

The RFL movement unites communities across the globe to celebrate people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action to finish the fight once and for all. RFL events are community gatherings where teams and individuals camp out at a school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Teams participate in fundraising in the months leading up to the event.

Dollars raised help the ACS save lives by funding groundbreaking cancer research, supporting education and risk reduction efforts, and providing free information and critical services for people with cancer who need them.

In addition to the support of the community, RFL of Scioto County is also supported by many businesses and organizations. The event’s 2016 sponsors include: Southern Ohio Medical Center, Fluor-BWXT, Centrus, Gahm’s Pharmacy, Gahm’s Save A Lot, Interim Healthcare, Genesis Respiratory, US Bank, Market Street Café, Atomic Credit Union, and Kroger. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors for joining us in the fight against cancer.

“We will continue our celebration the following weekend on Friday, June 24, at 6 p.m. at Portsmouth Elementary School with our Scioto County Survivor Gala Under the Star,” Feguson said. “We invite all cancer survivors to attend with a guest for an evening of dinner, dancing and fun. So, dust off your dancing shoes, and pull that pretty dress out of the closet you rarely well and let us pamper you for an evening catered by the Ribber.”

For any questions feel free to contact LaChona Ferguson at 740-708-5186 or LaChona. [email protected].

By Portia Williams

[email protected]

Reach Portia Williams at 740-353-3101, ext. 1929, or on Twitter @PortiaWillPDT.

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