Greater Middletown Relay for Life This Weekend: Witness Emotional 24 Hours of Strength

The Greater Middletown Relay For Life will be held this weekend — Saturday from noon to Sunday at noon. 

The Woodrow Wilson Middle School Track on Hunting Hill Avenue will have over 34 teams, camp sites with tents, canopies with lawn chairs and team theme decorations. 

There are over 550 pre-registered participants who will take turns walking around the track for the duration of the 24 hour Relay.  One person from each of the 34 teams will be on the track at all times. As of today, more than $71,000 has been raised through the team fundraising events, individuals, businesses, local community members and many sponsors generous donations.    

Opening ceremonies will begin at 4 p.m. Saturday.
  
The Relay Committee of 2013 will be introduced by Chair Jamie Hunter.  The National Anthem will be sung by Janine Signore, remarks from Enza Macri- Assistant Superintendent and additional remarks from Lynn Kipphut- American Cancer Society NE Executive Director of Development will start the event of festivities, ceremonies and hourly activities.     

At 4:30 p.m., the first Lap of Relay For Life is the Survivor Lap. Cancer survivors are invited to come and walk the first lap. Some will be in wheelchairs supported by their families. 

It is very emotional and hopeful to see so many people who DO survive cancer!  Following this initial lap, is the Caregiver lap with their Survivors and all other participants then join.   

At 5:30, the Mr & Mrs Relay Contest & Krafty Kids will begin the kids activity program   

At 6:00pm, a dinner is provided for all Survivors & their guests.    At 7:00pm, the popular Team banner lap, all teams with their individual banners walk the track. 

Each team has picked a theme; this is the time to show Team Relay Sprit with costume, decorations, music and excitement.  At 7:30pm, the Fight Back Ceremony will be held. 

This ceremony is for all present to make a commitment to continue to remind each other and others that the fight is not over after this Relay. The fight against cancer will continue to raise awareness about cancer and raise funds to support the research, education, advocacy and patient services vital to the mission of eliminating cancer.   

In the evening at 8:30 pm, there is a Torch and Luminaria Ceremony. Each torch is carried by family members & friends who are honoring or remembering a family member. White bags with candles in each are placed around the track. 

Each bag has a story to tell, each one is in honor of a cancer survivor or in memory of someone who has lost their battle with cancer. The candlelit bags line the track and light the way for Relay For Life as participants walk throughout the night into the morning.   

Silent Laps are from Midnight until 7:00am on Sunday morning. During the night at least one team member walks the track.  Movies will be shown and teams spend time at their sites.  Each hour will have a theme and team members enjoy the hourly theme walk.    

Sunday Morning Rise and Shine with Zumba and Bedhead and  Sunglass laps.   

At 9:00am, the All Kids Lap followed by the Team Captain Lap. At 10am, the raffle drawings followed by the Butterfly Release Ceremony.   

Closing ceremonies will begin at 11 a.m. with awards and an announcement of the total dollars raised to date toward the event goals set.  The final Victory Lap will be lead by Committee Members and conclude Relay 2013 by 12 noon.   

Come and visit, sign in at the Registration Gate, Walk a lap or two.  Take part in the many site fundraisers or come and make a donation. Every dollar counts! 

For information, call Lynn Kipphut at (203) 379-4878, or the web site at www.relayforlife.org/middletownct.

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