Cancer society's Relay For Life gets ready for new year
Jenelle Young lost her father to cancer just seven days after he learned the disease was attacking his body.
The Lombard woman doesn't want her "horrible story" to happen to anyone else, so she's stepping up to encourage everyone to get involved in this year's Relay For Life for Addison, Lombard and Villa Park.
She is serving as chairwoman of this year's fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which will be June 13 and 14 at Montini Catholic High School in Lombard.
"There are chances to celebrate the people that have beat this disease. They are proof that our efforts aren't going to waste," Young said.
"You can remember the ones who lost the battle to cancer. And we want to give community members a chance to fight back against a disease that has taken too much from too many.
"It's an overnight, life-changing event."
This year's effort begins today with a kick-off forum from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Villa Park Community Recreation Building, 320 E. Wildwood St., just off Villa Avenue.
Festivities will include a survivor speaker, free registration for relay teams, door prizes and refreshments.
Anyone interested is welcome to attend to register a team, volunteer to help with the event, purchase a luminaria in honor of a loved one who has battled cancer or to just find out more about the Relay For Life. Survivors are sought to sign up for the Survivor's Lap.
Volunteers are needed to organize and recruit teams, secure community support, coordinate logistics, obtain refreshments and prizes and plan entertainment for the relay.
"We need everyone's help," said Lombard Village President William Mueller, a cancer survivor. "I hope you can find time to participate."
The relay is an overnight event during which teams of people who have collected donations take turns walking or running laps around a track.
At all times throughout the night, at least one team member is walking for the cause. Highlights of this year's event will be revealed at the kickoff.
"It's a fabulous opportunity for the community to make a difference and relay … and come together," said Nicole Edmiston of the American Cancer Society.
"This event remembers those who fought against cancer and also recognizes the caregivers that support those battling the disease."
Relay For Life celebrates 15 years of advancing the fight against cancer throughout Illinois one relay at a time. Last year's local event alone raised about $80,000, and this year's goal is $110,000.
For details, contact Edmiston at nicole.edmiston@cancer.org or (630) 932-1141, or visit www.relayforlifealv.com.
DuPage County relays
• Relay For Life of Addison, Lombard and Villa Park, 6 p.m. June 13 at 19W070 16th St., Lombard
• Relay For Life of Wood Grove, 6 p.m. June 13 at Downers Grove North High School, 4436 Main St., Downers Grove
• Relay For Life of Elmhurst, 6 p.m. June 20 at York High School, 355 W St. Charles Road, Elmhurst
• Relay For Life of Oak Brook, Hinsdale and Burr Ridge, 6 p.m. June 20 at the Oak Brook Park District, 1450 Forest Gate Road, Oak Brook
• Relay For Life of Glen Ellyn, Wheaton and Winfield, 6 p.m. June 6 at Glenbard South High School, 23W200 Butterfield Road, Glen Ellyn
• Relay For Life of Bensenville/Wood Dale, 6 p.m. June 13 at Fenton High School, 1000 W Green St., Bensenville
• Relay For Life of Carol Stream, 6 p.m. June 13 at Glenbard North High School, 990 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream
• Relay For Life of Itasca Corporate, 5 p.m. June 27 at 1 Pierce Place, Itasca
• Relay For Life of Benedictine University, 6 p.m. April 25 at 5700 College Road, Lisle
• Relay For Life of Roselle, Bloomingdale and Itasca, 6 p.m. June 6 at Lake Park High School West Campus, 500 West Bryn Mawr Ave., Roselle
• Relay For Life of North Central College, 6 p.m. May 2 at 30 N Brainard, Naperville
• Relay For Life of North Naperville and Lisle, at 6 p.m. June 20, location TBA, Naperville
• Relay For Life of West Chicago/Warrenville, 6 p.m. May 30 at Community High School, 326 Joliet St., West Chicago