Brandon Twp.- Time to get pumped up.
The kick-off meeting for the seventh annual Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville will be at 6 p.m., Feb. 27, at the library, 304 South St.
‘This is where we get everyone enthused, talk about what relay is, how they can participate, what the American Cancer Society does, and get everyone geared up for the event, which is June 14,? said Mary Woods, chairperson.
The 2014 Relay for Life of Brandon/Ortonville will be June 14-15 at the athletic field on Varsity Drive near Harvey Swanson Elementary. The 24-hour walk is the American Cancer Society’s signature event to raise funds and awareness for all types of cancer. Walkers typically sign up as part of a team, averaging 12-15 members, with each team having a member to represent them on the track throughout the 24 hours. Organizers have themed laps for fun that have included hula hoop, bubble, 3-legged, 70s, 80s, pajama, singalong, backwards, and Mr. Relay. The party-like atmosphere also includes a disc jockey, live musical entertainment, bounce houses, dunk tanks, clowns, volleyball, and much more.
Some entertainment has already been secured and belly dancing demonstrations are returning this year. Musical acts are still being sought, as well as volunteers.
The theme for this year’s relay is ‘movies.? Woods said 11 teams have already officially signed up for this year’s relay, and three teams have selected movies for which they will decorate their sites in ‘Despicable Me,? ‘Little Mermaid? and ‘Finding Nemo? motifs.
Woods hopes to have 30 teams sign-up for the 2014 Relay and at the kick-off meeting on Thursday night, information will be available about forming a team, or joining an existing one. Teams will be accepted up until and even the day of Relay, but attending kick-off and signing up early gives more time to organize and team mentors are ready to help. A survivor will also speak about their battle with the disease.
‘It’s hard to believe we are having Relay in just over 100 days, but it gives us something to look forward to,? said Woods. ‘Come to the kick-off meeting and join Relay for a life-changing experience. I realize it’s a huge battle we are fighting against cancer, but any chunk you can take away counts. Cancer should be like the common cold? miserable for a few days, but then it goes away. We are making progress.?
For more information, call Mary Woods at 248-464-9066, visit
www.relayforlife.org/brandonmi or send an e-mail to
brandonortonvillerelay@gmail.com.