The 2007 Relay for Life will be presented June 15 and June 16 at the College of Eastern Utah track.
The event is an 18-hour walk to raise money to fight cancer.
The relay will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday and conclude at 11 a.m. on Saturday.
According to project organizer Ruth Metzger, Carbon County residents may register teams to participate in the event at the Jan. 17 kickoff, where the theme for the 2007 relay will be unveiled.
“The American Cancer Society appreciates all our community does to raise funds to fight cancer. To show our appreciation the ACS has established an incentive program to reward participants hard work. These incentives can be earned individually or as a team,” said Metzger.
All registration fees and proceeds from the fundraising activities will go directly to the ACS and support programs for individuals suffering from cancer.
“In 2006, we had 23 teams ranging from families, to businesses, to faith based teams and they raised almost $60,000. We would like to see all of last year’s teams return and bring a new team to the 2007 event. There will be room to camp overnight and entertainment and food will be provided,” continued Metzger.
Consisting of eight to 15 individuals, teams are asked to have at least one member on the track for the entire event. A registration fee is required and residents may contact Metzger at 650-4552 for details.
Relay for Life is also looking for sponsors and supporters.
“Any size of donation is welcome, come out and support the American Cancer Society,” stated Metzger.
The Relay for Life began in Tacoma, Wash., as the City of Destiny Classic 24-hour run against cancer.
In the mid-1980’s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of the local American Cancer Society office.
The surgeon decided to personally raise money for the oranization’s fight against cancer by running marathons.
In May 1985, Klatt spent 24 hours circling the track at sity of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles.
Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with the surgeon.
He raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
While Klatt circled the track, he thought about how other people could take part in raising money to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer.
Several months later, the Tacoma surgeon pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event.
The event was known as the City of Destiny Classic 24- hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, 19 groups took part in the first team relay event staged on the track at the Stadium Bowl and the participants raised $33,000 for the American Cancer Society.
Today, the Relay for Life is on overnight community event for everyone whose lives have been touched by cancer.
In addition to participating in the relay, teams may sell luminaria to honor cancer survivors and loved ones who have lost the battle against the disease.
An inspiring luminaria ceremony will be presented as part of the 2007 Relay for Life event, concluded Metzer.
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