12th annual Relay For Life set for Jim Lorenzen Field

More than 20 teams will take to the track at Jim Lorenzen Field in Le Mars as part of the 12th Annual Plymouth County Relay For Life this Friday and Saturday, June 6 and 7.

While teams will be walking from 7 p.m. Friday to 7 a.m. Saturday, the public is encouraged to attend activities throughout the evening as a part of the county's fundraising event for the American Cancer Society.

Events start at 6 p.m. with opening ceremonies which includes a Survivors Lap walk at 6:30 p.m. followed by a new walk, the Caregiver Walk.

Cancer survivors are invited to be a part of the walk and be recognized for their success in fighting cancer.

"The 'Survivor Lap' is a time when we can publicly recognize the survivors and share in their triumph over cancer," said Melinda Schwartz, local Relay For Life committee member.

There is another group of people who will also be recognized at this year's Relay For Life. The committee has added a "Caregivers Walk" to be held immediately following the Survivors Lap.

"This is a walk for anyone who has cared for someone who has or had cancer," Schwartz explained. "It can be husbands, wives, moms and dads, doctors, nurses, children and friends, anyone who has cared for someone with cancer."

"A caregiver is someone who has walked with a person through their cancer journey, to becoming a survivor or losing the battle," Schwartz said.

Anyone who is currently a caregiver or someone who cared for someone years ago is invited to be a part of the Caregivers Walk.

Entertainment by several local groups will begin at 7 p.m.

The concession stand will open at 5 p.m. and will serve hot sandwiches, pizza slices,beverages and a new item, a chicken platter. All proceeds from the concession stand and other activities go to the American Cancer Society.

Raffle tickets will be available for three items this year: an airplane bank, a toy tractor and a Relay For Life throw. Luminaria bags may also be purchased from 6 to 8 p.m. at the event.

The luminaria ceremony begins at 10 p.m., when luminaria bags purchased by area residents will be lit and the names of those honored and remembered will be read. A cancer survivor will also speak during the ceremony. This will be followed by a "Fight Back" ceremony, going along with this year's national theme of "Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back."

Relay For Teams will take part in Fun Walks starting at midnight with the following themes: midnight, Bling Bling Walk; 1 a.m., '50s & '60s Walk; 2 a.m. , Glow Walk; 3 a.m., Cookie Walk; 4 a.m. Poker Walk; 5 a.m., Surprise Walk, You Decide and 6 a.m., Bubble Walk.

The event will end with a brief closing ceremony at 7 a.m.

Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship and raise money for research and programs of the American Cancer Society.