Celebrating 20 years, the Harrison County Relay for Life continues efforts to raise funds toward cancer research. The 2014 event will be held Friday through Saturday at Wayne Jamison Field.

 

Featuring special guests from “Heroes 4 Higher,” this year’s theme is “Never Fear, Relayers are Here.”

 

“We’re always looking for a different theme every year and we try to choose something that is current,” said Courtney Barcus of the Relay for Life organizational committee. “Since our purpose is essentially to raise funds to help fight cancer, we decided to go with the superhero theme.”

 

Opening ceremonies kick off at 6 p.m. Friday. Taking part will be Batman and Captain America of the Heroes 4 Higher organization based in Huntington. Following ceremonies, the superheroes will be available for meet-and-greet and photo ops.

Taking to the track first will be participants of the traditional survivor victory and caregiver laps. Typically, about 40 cancer survivors take part in the ceremonial lap. All survivors and cancer caregivers are invited and encouraged to take part, Barcus said.

 

“UHC will provide food for the for the survivors, so they will be able to sit and socialize with each other and watch entertainment that is going on during that time, as well,” she said.

 

Among performers are the Greg Harrison Band, INStep and Champs dance schools, Magician Dave Powers and local vocalists, Benjamin DeFazio and Chelsea Boyles. A disc jockey will provide additional music, filling in between acts. 

 

Members of all walking teams will begin making their laps for the cause around 7 p.m. Thus far, 23 teams and 253 walkers are registered for the event, Barcus said.

 

Various intermittent events will take place through 6 a.m. Saturday Included are a survivor and caregiver reception, live auction and the 9 p.m. luminaria ceremony, the latter activity always a highlight of the annual event.

 

“This is a time to reflect on those who are still with us and those we have lost,” Barcus said. “If you’ve never experienced a luminaria service before, it’s absolutely amazing. The lights go out and it gets very quiet as the bags are lit and people reflect. You can see just how much cancer has affected everyone of us.”

 

For the second year, the ceremony will be conducted a little differently than in years past.

 

“We used to light all the bags at once, but now we do it in stages,” Barcus said. “First, we ask for those who have dealt with a child who has had cancer, then we’ll ask for those who have had a parent experience cancer, etc. and eventually light the rest of the bags.”

Luminarias will be available for purchase Friday evening. In addition to white bags in memory of or in honor of a loved one who has had cancer, attendees can purchase purple bags to honor those who have served as caregivers of cancer victims.

 

As always, walk teams will set up stations on the field, many participants spending the entire night. To encourage them to do so, prize drawings will be held every 30 minutes, Barcus said. Accumulative prizes total about $2,000. Included in items to be awarded are Pittsburgh Pirate and WVU Football tickets, restaurant gift cards, theme baskets, free rounds of golf and Canaan Valley ski lift tickets. All prizes have been donated by area businesses and resorts.

 

Early in the evening, children’s activities including a rock wall and bounce house will be set up and can be utilized by kids free of charge. Participating teams will also be sponsoring fundraisers, including drawings, a scavenger hunt, bake sales and craft sales.Concessions will be available for purchase from Audias' Restaurant. 

 

Returning this year as Harrison County Relay for Life Chairperson is Jenna Bennett, with Jill Zangari serving as the American Cancer Society representative.

 

This year’s Relay for Life goal is $125,000 with about $51,000 raised to date, Barcus said. Register online at www.relayforlife.org/harrisonwv.

 

Relay for Life has become much more than a fundraising event, Barcus said. It’s a celebration of life, a reunion and an outlet for families to share emotions and memories.

 

“I think most people have been affected by cancer – whether it’s a mother, brother, parent or child. This is a good way to show community support for a great organization and a great way to use funds for research and transportation and just to help raise awareness,” she said. 

 

Editor's Note: Photos from last year's Relay for Life, courtesy of Courtney Barcus