Relay For Life celebrates, advocates for cancer cure

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life brings together survivors and remembers people killed by the disease. The relay and related events are April 1 at Symphony Park.

You can walk or run to remember people impacted by cancer next month.

The American Cancer Society is bringing people together for the annual Relay For Life to advocate for a cure April 1 at Symphony Park 4-8 p.m.  Caregivers can take a recognition lap around the park at 4:30 p.m. and survivors and thrivers can take a recognition lap at 6:30 p.m. 

Survivors can gather in the survivors’ tent for recognition throughout the relay. To order a luminaria or survivor shirt, register at www.relayforlife.org/charlottenc. The shirts will be sent directly to survivors, who should allow a minimum of three weeks for shipping.   

“Relay For Life isn’t a race or endurance challenge,” said Ryan Sullivan, a long-time relay participant. “It’s a fun, family-friendly event where people gather to celebrate brave cancer survivors, to remember those lost, to raise awareness about support services, and to raise money to help fund a cure.”   

A luminaria ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. to celebrate and remember people killed by cancer. Luminaria can also be bought at the relay, which will include live entertainment, food trucks, costume characters from Costumers with a Cause and local artists doing live demonstrations.   

According to ACS, Black Americans have a higher cancer burden and face greater obstacles to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survival.

Research has shown:

• Black people have the highest death rate and shortest survival rate of any racial/ethnic group for most cancers. Black men also have the highest cancer incidence.

• Cancer death rates in Black men is twice as high as in Asians and Pacific Islanders, who have the lowest rates.

• Prostate cancer death rates in Black men are more than double those of every other racial or ethnic group.

• Black women are 40% more likely to die of breast cancer than white women and twice as likely to die if they are over 50.

“I relay in honor of my parents, and to support the American Cancer Society as it funds new treatments, provides patient care, supports caregivers, and gives hope to families going through the crucible of cancer,” said Relay For Life chair Thomas Noel.

Proceeds will go to ACS for advocacy, research, and patient support. The society has invested $3.1 billion in cancer research since 1991 and has supported more than 55 million people in the U.S. through lodging, transportation, and a 24-hour information and support helpline.   

To get involved, you can:  

• Sign-up to join a team or start a new one at www.relayforlife.org/charlottenc  

• Donate to ACS. Visit www.relayforlife.org/charlottenc.  

• Volunteer or become a sponsor by contacting Rebecca Bross at [email protected] or (704) 553-5352 for information.   

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