The Narconon Arrowhead rehab recently joined with the local community to honor cancer survivors by participating in Relay for Life. On Friday the 27th remembered those who lost their lives to cancer, and helped to raise funds which go to fight the disease. Relay for Life of Pittsburg County hosted their event at Sertoma Field in McAlester, Oklahoma, and the event was a chance for the local community to join together to honor cancer survivors.
Relay for Life
Relay for Life is an organization that brings together communities across the country for local cancer
awareness events. The relay is volunteer-driven, and a part of the American Cancer Society. Since
starting out in the United States, it has spread to 21 countries, with events that are held in local
communities, military bases, university campuses, and online. To date it is estimated that Relay for
Life has raised over $3 billion.
A local Relay for Life event can last for up to 24 hours, and community teams camp overnight at
a designated area like a local school, park, or fairgrounds. The main fund-raising activity revolves
around team members taking turns walking, or running on a track. It is requested that each team has at
least one member participating in the walk at all times throughout the 24 hour period, because cancer
never sleeps.
The traditional Relay for Life event consists of the following features:
• Opening Ceremony
• The Survivor Lap – Cancer survivors walk the track to celebrate their victory over cancer.
• Caregiver Lap – Recognition for those who care for cancer patients.
• Opening Lap – Local teams take a lap together carrying banners celebrating team
accomplishments.
• Luminaria Ceremony – The lighting of Luminaria (small bags containing a candle) in honor of
those affected by cancer, this is usually done along with a candlelight vigil.
• Closing Ceremony – Includes a final lap by everyone involved around the track, and awards are
handed out for various achievements by the local teams.
• Fight Back Ceremony – A ceremony where participants of the event pledge to spread the word
about cancer and continue to fight the disease.
Narconon Arrowhead’s Participation
The Pittsburg County Relay for Life event consisted of 13 relay teams and 123 participants. Combined
the teams raised an estimated $81,288 for the American Cancer Society. The Narconon team described
the event atmosphere as both pleasant and emotional. The family-friendly event, featured several
activities such as games for the children, live music, and was open to all.
The Narconon team said they appreciated the personal stories of cancer survivors, and the message to
all those affected to live life to the fullest and keep hope alive. Several members of the community,
who were not members of a Relay team, were able to attend. Local residents were able to participate
in the day’s activities free of charge, and were able to play games and purchase goods knowing that the
proceeds would go to fight cancer.
The captain of the Narconon Arrowhead team was encouraged to attend upcoming planning meetings
for next year’s Relay for Life event by the event commissioners. The members of the team said they
were pleased to represent the organization at this year’s event, and are looking forward to contributing
to and participating in the 2014 event. Narconon Arrowhead’s participation in the 2013 Relay for Life
is a continuation of their long history of community involvement in the local area.
For more information on this year’s event go to:
http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/10/prweb11238763.htm