Concordia, Dominican Mini Relay for Life hopes for big turnout
Updated: May 28, 2012 8:42AM
Everyone will Relay for his or her own reason, but everybody who shows up likely has the same objective: a cure.
Concordia University will host its second annual Mini-Relay for Life on April 28. The event is staged in partnership with Dominican University and the American Cancer Society.
The Mini-Relay will bring together cancer survivors, those fighting the disease, people who have lost friends and or family members, and many more folks for an action-packed fundraiser.
There will be a SpongeBob SquarePants relay, ultimate Twister, a bean-bags tournament, a photography booth, live entertainment and much more.
Past Mini-Relays have had themes, and this year the organizers are going Naval. They’re calling the event the U.S.S. Hope “Sail Away” Mini-Relay.
Fun and games, aside though — and there will be plenty on Saturday — the event’s greater goals are to raise funds and connect people who are passionate about combating cancer.
The Relay for Life — now a national phenomenon — started in Tacoma, Wash. in 1985.
Dr. Gordy Klatt, a local doctor, was searching for a way to bolster the coffers of the area’s American Cancer Society office, so he decided to run a 24-hour marathon to raise money.
Throughout the time he ran, friends and supporters paid $25 to run or walk with him. The event raised $27,000.
The event in River Forest is a “Mini-Relay” because it will span seven hours, from 2-9 p.m.
“Throughout the night we do ceremonies to remember those who lost their lives. There will be an opening and closing ceremony, all the stuff you would have in a regular Relay. It’s just condensed in a shorter amount of time,” said Sarah Ann Oliver, marketing communications specialist at Concordia.
This year, the organizers are hoping to raise $25,000, all of which will go to the American Cancer Society, according to Oliver.
“You can show up, or you can go online [to donate]. Online we’ve raised over $11,000,” Oliver said.
Those interested in donating should visit www.relayforlive.org/concordiail . Saturday’s event takes place at the Concordia track, 7400 Augusta St., River Forest. For more information, call (708) 209-3555.