Farmington Relay for Life Just Getting Started

Farmington Relay For Life held its kick-off event Thursday evening to signify the start of the season. But if you missed it, don't worry — the fun and the work have just begun.

In keeping with this year’s theme, Stay Tuned for a Cure, Laverne and Shirley, Mr. & Mrs. Thurston Howell III, Ghostbusters, Batman, Waldo, Mickey Mouse and many other TV character impersonators attended the 2011 Kickoff for the American Cancer Society Relay For Life Farmington at the Farmington Club Thursday night.

One in three people are affected by cancer. Relay For Life celebrates the lives of loved ones lost. By raising funds for cancer research, the event organizers and all the participants are working to be part of the cure.

This is the 11th year Farmington has held a Relay For Life and more teams have already signed up than last year’s turnout of a 1,000 participants on over 60 teams.

An informational and planning meeting will be held Thursday, Feb. 17 at the Farmington Community and Senior Center at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is invited to attend and learn how they can be part of the event.

As explained on the American Cancer Society web site, “Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Relay For Life began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 19 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, we are creating a world with more birthdays a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life.”

Relay For Life is open to everyone. The only requirement is a $10 registration/commitment fee (per person) that is due at registration. After that, anything you can raise through individual, team, or online fundraising is graciously accepted. It is recommended that each participant to set a personal goal to raise $100.

This year the relay will be held May 21 and 22 at the Farmington High School.

For more information visit www.relayforlife.org/farmingtonct.