Time to start planning for spring's Relay
If there is a single word in the English language that strikes more fear in people's minds, it is not one of the current buzzwords "terrorism" or "recession"; it is the age-old word "cancer."
At one time it was a word only whispered; but now. thanks to the leadership of the American Cancer Society, it is a rallying word to call families, friends and survivors to help find a cure by taking part in the local annual Relay For Life.
The Relay For Life of Northern Kane County will be May 2 with opening ceremonies at 6 p.m. in the Dundee-Crown High School field house in Carpentersville and end at 6 a.m. the next day. It is an evening of fun as teams decorate and set up campsites and then take turns walking throughout the night to raise money for research and the many wonderful programs offered to cancer patients and their families. During the night, music is provided by a DJ and there are games and an inflatable bouncing platform for the kids, fun-themed laps, bingo, raffles and pizza for all.
I have attended in the past and even spent an entire night there. It was a great experience meeting so many dedicated people. Teachers from our own Sleepy Hollow Elementary School have a team every year in honor of some of their fellow educators and young students who have died of cancer. Many members of the team also are survivors of the disease. Other schools in our district also are represented as are local churches, businesses and organizations. They have found that a meaningful way to honor someone with cancer is not with flowers or cards but by raising money for a cure.
Our community's Relay For Life kick-off event will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Feb. 16 at Immanuel Lutheran Church in East Dundee. This will be a time to register, meet the committee and see what it is all about. There will also be a chili cook-off for those who would like to enter their special recipes. The winner will receive a special prize, and bragging rights, of course.
Many individuals form their own teams like Jenny Rehberg. She will never forget May 10, 2005 -- the day her dad, Jerry Young, died from a rare and incurable cancer. He was 63 years old. Feeling helpless during his illness, Rehberg decided that the best thing to do to help "fight the fight" was to participate in the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life of Northern Kane County. This will be her third year participating and her second year as chairwoman. Rehberg is also team captain for "J.Z.'s Angels," which is in memory of her father.
"At the Relay, we celebrate the survivors of the disease and remember those who we have lost. It's a very emotional night for everyone," Rehberg explained. "The money we raise goes for more than just research. It goes to help families and survivors in a tangible way for example by purchasing wigs for men and women who have lost their hair due to chemo treatments and offering rides to doctor's appointments for patients, just to name a few."
For details, call the Batavia office of the American Cancer Society at (630) 879-9009 or visit www.relayforlifenorthkane.com. If you are interested in volunteering to help the community relay, call Jenny Rehberg at (847) 428-6213 or e-mail at jenrose866@yahoo.com.
Monthly meetings take place at 6:30 p.m. the first Thursday of every month at Panera Bread on Randall Road by I-90. All are welcome to attend.
Just a reminder: There will be a candidates forum for the Democrat and Republican candidates running for Denny Hastert's 14th Congressional District at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Gail Borden Public Library, 270 N. Grove Ave., Elgin. The forum, sponsored by the League of Women Voters, will be your opportunity to meet the candidates and question them on issues that concern you.