Relay for Life of Wheeling set for May 21
Relay For Life is no ordinary event; it is a personal experience, where the community joins with the American Cancer Society to help create a world where lives are saved and more birthdays are celebrated. On Saturday, May 21 at Wheeling High School, Relay For Life of Wheeling will bring the community together to celebrate the lives of those who have cancer, remember loved ones lost to the disease, honor caregivers and fight back against a disease that takes too much.
“No one should fight cancer alone.” said Stefanie DeFrancesca, Relay For Life staff partner. “Relay For Life is a great rallying point for survivors and caregivers alike. Everyone's reason for raising funds and walking the track is personal and unique. But we all have one thing in common: cancer has touched our lives. Relay brings us all together to fight back with hope and help.”
At the Relay For Life of Wheeling, teams from area families, schools, community groups and businesses can still sign up to participate in this overnight, life-affirming experience to share hope with cancer survivors, caregivers and other supporters in the fight to eliminate cancer.
Relay For Life of Wheeling, which is open to the public, begins at 6 p.m. Saturday, May 21 at Wheeling High School. Community members are encouraged to stop by and enjoy the food, games, music and special activities going on throughout the evening. Wheeling High School is located at 900 S. Elmhurst Rd. in Wheeling. A schedule of activities is available at www.relayforlifewheeling.com.
Relay For Life starts with the opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Local cancer survivors will unite to walk the first lap, the Survivors Lap, which kicks off the event. Cheered on as they travel around the track, many will also be joined by the caregivers who helped see them through their cancer journey.
A luminaria ceremony will be held after dark to honor cancer survivors and caregivers, and remember those who have lost their battle against cancer. Luminaria will line the track and glow throughout the night lighting the path and illuminating the names of those being honored.
Luminaria are available online at www.relayforlifewheeling.com or by contacting Stefanie DeFrancecsa at (847) 368-1166 or Stefanie.defrancesca@cancer.org.
The goal of this year's Relay For Life of Wheeling is just over $85,000. Funds raised through Relay provide day-to-day and emotional support services for area patients and their families, cancer research, community educational programs and advocacy initiatives.
If you would like an event schedule or more information about Relay For Life of Wheeling contact the American Cancer Society at (847) 368-1166 or visit www.relayforlifewheeling.com
The American Cancer Society combines an unyielding passion with nearly a century of experience to save lives and end suffering from cancer. As a global grassroots force with more than 100,000 volunteers in Illinois and millions elsewhere, we fight for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. We save lives by helping people stay well, by helping people get well, by finding cures and by fighting back. As the nation's largest non-governmental investor in cancer research, we turn what we know about cancer into what we do. As a result, more than 11 million people in America who have had cancer, and countless more who have avoided it, will be celebrating birthdays this year. To learn more or get help, call us any time at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.