The American Cancer Society (ACS) will be holding its kick-off for the 5th Annual Relay For Life celebration Wednesday, Jan. 13th, from 6:30pm – 8pm, at Somers Auditorium in Highline Medical Center.

Last year, The B-Town Blog was proud to be a sponsor, and this year will be no different, as several members of our staff have been personally touched by cancer, and we’re committed to doing whatever we can to help defeat it.

This year’s event will be held June 12th & 13th at Highline Stadium.

Relay For Life was founded 26 years ago by Tacoma physician Dr. Gordy Klatt, and has grown to be the most recognized fundraising event for cancer nationwide, held in more than 5,000 communities and raising more than $3 billion toward cancer research, advocacy, education and patient services.

Over the past four years, the Relay For Life of Highline has brought over 600 people together from the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park and SeaTac participating on 86 teams, and raising over $272,000 total for the fight against cancer.

The Kickoff Celebration will provide information about Relay For Life and how volunteers can get involved in the fight against cancer. Attendees will enjoy food from Sal’s Deli, music, and coffee provided by Starbucks as they visit with volunteers, sharing stories of hope.

Relay For Life is a family-oriented event in which teams will walk or run in shifts around the track for 19 hours. Participants traditionally camp out on the field, and, when they are not taking their turn walking, enjoy a variety of entertainment activities.

The Relay For Life of Highline will be held on June 12th & 13th at Highline Stadium in Burien. For more information, please call Kelly Cochran at 206-674-4103, or visit www.relayforlife.org/highlinewa.

Here’s a slideshow by Photographer Michael Brunk of last summer’s event:

Click to View Michael Brunk’s Photo Slideshow

Highline walkers will walk around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life starting at 4pm Saturday, June 13th and ending at 8am on Sunday, June 14th.

This celebration of life brings numerous groups and individuals concerned about cancer together for a unified effort to fight back.

Twenty-eight teams of enthusiastic citizens will gather at Highline Memorial Stadium for an overnight relay against cancer, and here’s the schedule of entertainment during the event:

• 3pm: Opening Ceremonies and Cancer Survivor Victory Lap
• 5:30pm: Aeolin
• 7:30pm: Cake Walk
• 10pm: Luminaria Ceremony
• 6am: Stretches
• 6:30am: Pancake Breakfast
• 7am: Limbo!
• 8am: Closing Ceremonies

Highlighting the evening is the Luminaria Ceremony held after dark to honor cancer survivors and to remember those who have lost the battle against cancer. The luminaria line the track and are left burning throughout the night to remind participants of the incredible importance of their contributions.

Some of the sponsors of the Relay For Life include:

• Highline Medical Center
• Vertex Business Services
• Holland America
• Fred Meyer
• Sal’s Deli
• The B-Town Blog (we’ll see you there!)

Relay For Life is a unique fundraising event that allows participants from all walks of life — including patients, medical support staff, corporations, civic organizations, churches, community volunteers and even community-activist local news blogs — to join together to fight cancer. Relay For Life reminds us that progress has been made in the fight against cancer and that everyone who participates is making a difference.

Information about how to form a team or become involved in Relay For Life is available from the American Cancer Society at 206.674.4103 or 1.800.ACS.2345, or visit www.relayforlife.org/highlinewa.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

The B-Town Blog proudly welcomes its latest Advertiser: the American Cancer Society, which provides hope for a cure for cancer through the upcoming Relay For Life, to be held June 13th and 14th at Highline Stadium.

Everyone knows someone who has been touched by cancer. And for the volunteers who are busy planning the 4th Annual Relay For Life of Highline, it’s those personal stories that keep them going.

Set to take place June 13th and 14at at Highline Stadium, the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life provides a way for everyone to fight back against cancer.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity. Teams of people will camp out on the field at Highline Stadium and take turns walking or running around the track. Relays are an overnight event, up to 24 hours in length, to represent that cancer patients battle the disease 24 hours a day.

Teams can be made up of family members, friends, co-workers, and neighbors who have fun while raising much-needed funds to fight cancer and raise awareness. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at Relay.

One in three people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lifetime. The money raised at Relay saves lives by funding cutting-edge cancer research, early detection and prevention education, advocacy efforts, and life-affirming patient services. It is because of Relay that we are able to save lives, help those battling cancer and empower all to fight back against the disease.

Relay also allows all individuals an opportunity to celebrate the lives of those who have survived cancer and to remember those who have been lost to the disease. For the newly diagnosed, Relay is a healing experience that offers a chance to meet others who have claimed victory over cancer. For the caregivers who give their time, love, and support to their friends and family who face cancer it provides hope and understanding.

Highlights of the event include the Opening Ceremonies at 3pm which include the Cancer Survivor Victory Lap. The Victory Lap is an opportunity for the community to come together and show support for those who have gone through or are still fighting cancer. Immediately following the Victory Lap is the Cancer Survivors Social; all cancer survivors and their caregivers are invited to enjoy the good food and share stories with other survivors and caregivers. At 10pm, the Luminaria Ceremony provides a time for everyone to pause and reflect on those we have lost to cancer and those who are still battling the disease.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraiser and is planned by volunteers in our community. Event Chair Gary McNeil says he got involved “because I lost my dad to cancer and I wanted to feel like I was contributing to a solution. Relay provides me the opportunity to support cancer patients and really make a difference.” Gary started out as a team captain and stepped up to fill the role of Event Chair because “it’s an important cause to me, and I wanted to do what I could to help out.”

The American Cancer Society is the nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by preventing cancer, saving lives, and diminishing suffering from cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. No matter who you are, we can help. If you, or someone you know, have been diagnosed with cancer the American Cancer Society can provide support and services to help you through the cancer journey.

If you would like more information about Relay For Life or services the American Cancer Society provides, please contact Kelly Cochran at 206.674.4103 or via email at kelly.cochran@cancer.org.

And please visit the website at www.relayforlife.org/highlinewa, where you can sign a team up, join one, or donate online.

We’ll see you there!

Here’s a video with more information:

by Gina Bourdage

The 25th annual American Cancer Society’s 2009 “Relay For Life” kick-off happened last Wednesday (Jan. 21st) at Highline Medical Center.

The evening began with hors d’oeuvres from Sal’s Deli and music from the group “Critical Mass,” a local jazz band comprised of some very talented members from the Burien community, including doctors from Highline Medical Center.

Entering its fourth year in Burien, “Relay For Life” gathered together team leaders, board members and local businesses to go over the goals for the June 13th – 14th event at Highline Stadium. Involvement in the “Relay For Life” provides lifesaving support for the American Cancer Society and programs.

Contributions and fundraising allow much-needed programs and efforts to be funded in the advancement for a cure, while sustaining ongoing efforts for survivors and families of cancer. Each team spends one day and one night celebrating and remembering those whose lives have been affected by cancer and provides them a way to fight back.

Margie Rodriguez, a two-time cancer survivor, was on hand to speak about what having cancer has done to change her perspective on life:

“It has taught me how to live. To enjoy the moment.”

Each year 3.5 million people in more than 4,900 communities participate. This year Burien has 11 teams signed up to participate and are looking for more. Last year the Highline Community had more than 515 register participants and raised more than $85,000. Four year participant and team captain of team Fam Damily, Patty Murray was present this year for the kick off 2009. Last year Murray’s team raised more than $10,000 through efforts from handmade painted pots sold for $5 each and garage sales.

Other teams include:

• The City of Burien
• City of Sea Tac
• Aviation High School
• Mt Rainer High School
• Many more

The event coordinators are hoping to have competitions between each city and high school team, however they are not all represented yet… (clearing throat voice Evergreen High School among others).

The event will start with a survivor’s lap and the evening will continue with music, entertainment and refreshments. Each team will take turns having at least one member on the track for the relay up to 24 hours. As the sun sets over campsites and darkness falls, the night is brightened by the glow of illuminated bags called luminaria, each of which has a special meaning. Some celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer and have lived to tell their stories. Many remember the lives of those who have been lost to this disease. All represent someone special who has been profoundly affected by cancer and the family and friends who continue to fight back in their honor.

This year the overall fundraising goal is $95,000.

Will you be part of helping the fight for a cure? To participate, become a team captain or make a volunteer or monetary contribution please contact:

Gary McNeil
Event Co-Chair
Email: gmcnsoccer@comcast.net
Phone 206.390.3184

or

Kelly Cochran
American Cancer Society
Email: Kelly.cochran@cancer.org

For more information on Relay For Life visit www.highlinerelay.org.

Here’s a video with some more information:

The Highline Relay For Life is holding their annual “Relay For Life” Event on Saturday/Sunday June 7th and 8th from 3pm to 9am (that’s right – it appears to be an overnight thing) at Highline Memorial Stadium (map below), to pay tribute to lives lost to cancer as well as raise money to help fight it all right here in B-Town.

They are also holding numerous fundraisers around the B-Town area, and they’ve got quite a few coming up, from an All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Party to Garage and Yard Sales:

• SUNDAY, 5/18, from 4pm – 9pm: All You Can Eat Pizza, salad, soup, garlic bread and sodas (beer & wine are extra) for only $15 for adults, $12 for kids 12 and under, at one of our favorite places in Burien: Bison Creek Pizza. Call (206) 433-6939 for tickets.
• FRIDAY 5/16 and SATURDAY, 5/17 9am – 5pm: The Possibilitarians Garage Sale at 20010 14th Ave S, SeaTac, WA
• SATURDAY 5/17, 9am – 5pm: Fam-Damily Garage Sale at 17136 2nd Ave. SW, Normandy Park, WA; Donations/Questions: Patty (206-248-0502)
• SATURDAY 5/17, 9am – 5pm: Burien Fred Meyer Team Garage Sale at 115 SW 140th St, Burien, WA
• SATURDAY 5/17, 6:30 pm: El Dorado West Bunco Night at 1010 SW 134th St, Burien, WA; Tickets $20 advance purchase (limited seating), Taco Buffet included and chance to win Whidbey Island Getaway. Call El Dorado West for more details (206) 248-1975

More info and full details available at www.highlinerelay.org

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Just got word from Dan the Sausageman that last night’s “Relay For Life” Cancer fundraiser at The Tin Room Bar raised $295 bucks.

Not bad for a Monday night – way to go all you generous B-Town drinkers!

Tonight (Monday, April 28), from around 3pm until closing, Dan the Sausageman is holding a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society’s Highline Relay for Life at the Tin Room, located at 923 SW 152nd Street in Olde Burien.

Dan will donate a percentage of the entire day’s proceeds towards the local fight against cancer.

Relay For Life, the American Cancer Society’s signature event, is a fun-filled overnight experience designed to bring together those who have been touched by cancer. At Relay, people from within the community gather to celebrate survivors, remember those lost to cancer, and to fight back against this disease. Relay participants help raise money and awareness to support the American Cancer Society in its lifesaving mission to eliminate cancer as a major health issue.

During Relay For Life events, teams of people gather at schools, fairgrounds, or parks and take turns walking or running laps. The events are held overnight to represent the fact that cancer never sleeps. Through the survivors’ lap and the luminaria ceremony, we honor the people who have faced cancer first hand, and we remember those who have been lost to this disease.

But, Relay isn’t about taking laps — it’s about coming together in the fight against cancer. It’s a time to remember those lost to this disease and celebrate those who have survived. It’s a place where people connect with others, share the cancer experience, and find comfort and solace. And it’s an opportunity to build hope for a future where cancer no longer threatens the lives of the people we love.

As volunteers and donors, your efforts support research, education, advocacy, and services that allow the American Cancer Society to offer help and hope to people across the country when they need it most. By joining together at Relay, we celebrate life, friendship, and an opportunity to work to defeat cancer for future generations.

Sign up today to become a part of the Relay For Life effort in your community, and you too can fight back against cancer.

As both survivors and relatives of cancer victims, we here at the B-Town Blog raise a pint to those taking part in this fine fundraiser.

More info available at www.highlinerelay.org or here.

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