CULLMAN – The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Cullman County will kick off the 2017 fundraising season on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at 5:30 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall of First Baptist Church of Cullman, marking the 24th year for the local fundraiser organized by a group of local volunteers.
The 2017 Relay For Life of Cullman County event will be held Friday, May 5, 2017, at the Cullman County Fairgrounds, from 6 p.m. to midnight. The theme for Cullman’s event is “Once Upon a Cure,” with participating teams encouraged to build their team theme/slogan around books.
Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Cullman County is one of more than 5,200 communities in 20 countries where volunteers work together to raise money used to fund research, provide support and services to cancer patients and their families, and educate the public on prevention and early detection.
During Relay For Life, participants are encouraged to have team members take turns walking around a track or designated path for the duration of the event. The continuous walking is the signify that cancer never sleeps. It also honors cancer patients who don’t stop fighting because they’re tired.
Between now and May 5, teams will be hosting fundraisers as they try to meet their fundraising goals. Teams are asked to raise at least $100 for each registered member of their team. Teams can raise funds through group events, individual fundraising, by securing event sponsorships and more. The Relay For Life committee offers several opportunities for fundraising to all teams.
Teams that choose to set up campsites at the May 5 Relay For Life event continue their fundraising efforts that night by collecting donations for food, goods, games and activities.
Relay For Life is open to all individuals, groups, businesses, etc., who would like to participate.
“We have families who have banded together to honor loved ones affected by cancer; we have church and school groups and businesses all who want to support the American Cancer Society and the fight against cancer,” said Helen Allen, a 23-year veteran of Relay For Life of Cullman County. “We all have been affected by cancer in some way. We all have seen the progress that’s been made over the years, but there’s still a lot of work to do, and we need your help.”
Businesses who may not be able to field a team but still would like to support Relay For Life are welcome to provide help through donations and sponsorships.
Teams can now register at www.relayforlife.org/cullmanal. For more information, contact Helen Allen at 256-709-4019 or helen@weltimail.com or ACS Staff Contact Haley Marecle at 256-531-4010 or haley.marecle@cancer.org. Follow Relay For Life of Cullman County on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RFLCullmanAL or on Twitter at @RelayCullman.
