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FLORIDA PARISHES ARENA Hosts Annual
Relay for Life Cancer Fundraiser
Survivors celebrate life and remember loved ones.
AMITE—Several hundred supporters of the annual “Relay for Life,” an event sponsored by
the American Cancer Society to help raise money for cancer research, gathered at the
Florida Parishes Arena this past Friday night. Among them were a number of cancer survivors,
who were honored with special recognition. Local sponsors of the event set up food
booths that featured an array of local barbeque favorites. One sponsor offered
mechanical bull rides for children and others sold crafts. All the proceeds
from these sponsors were donated to the fight against cancer.
The history of this nationwide annual fundraiser dates by to
the mid-1980s when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance
the income of his local American Cancer Society office. He decided to personally raise
money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.
In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track
at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles.
Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him. He raised
$27,000 to fight cancer. That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt’s friends, family,
and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.
While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others
could take part. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to
fight cancer. Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team
relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
Today thousands of small and large groups from around the country participate
in this event. Money is raised in a variety of ways but it all goes to help in the important
battle to cure cancer. The highlight of every group’s gathering is called the Ceremony
of Hope. Everyone is silent as the lights are turned off except for hundreds of luminaries
usually laid out on the ground to spell out the word “HOPE.” Special music is presented
and the names of those who lost their battle with cancer are called out by loved ones
and friends.
PLEASE NOTE: Selection of slideshow photos is random. It is our goal to feature as many people
as possible.
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Relay For Life is a fun-filled overnight event designed to celebrate survivorship
and raise money for research and programs of your American Cancer Society.
During the event, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks
and take turns walking or running laps. Each team tries to keep at least one
team member on the track at all times.
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