Everybody has been affected by cancer in some form, be it a friend, a family member, child, spouse or yourself. One in four deaths in the US is due to cancer, about 1,665,540 new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in 2014. This is why the American Cancer Society puts on the Relay for Life. The Relay for Life is a Cancer walk with carnival/fun fair overtones, to raise money for the American Cancer Society. People create “teams” to raise money for this event. They have booths at the Relay which sell things such as T-Shirts, hats, jewelry and other items. They sell food, have games, have music all day and the laps around the track are all themed. You’ll find such themes as a bubble lap, a crazy hat lap, etc. There is a walk for cancer survivors and caregivers, which is very emotional. They have an event called the Luminaria event, where paper bags are decorated for and dedicated to a cancer victim or survivor. Those bags are lit with a candle on the inside and they line the track at night.
At this year’s Relay, which is July 19, 2014, we will have a booth featuring a pop the balloon game. For a dollar, you get the opportunity to pop a balloon and win a prize such as a T-Shirt, name brand purse, one of a variety of gift baskets, backpacks, hats, etc. We are also featuring a children’s fishing game where every child is a winner and will win candy, and bouncy balls among other items. We are also featuring a super soaker arena, or you can pay a dollar to have someone else super soaked. We will also be selling bubbles, and squirt guns. All money raised goes to cancer patients. Funds pay for items such as research, treatment, prosthetics, wigs, gas cards, gift cards, spa days, caregivers, medical equipment among many other things.