If you’re not familiar with ‘Relay for Life,’ it’s an annual event that raises money to help fight cancer. The walk will take place at Mt. Rainier high school on June 9th and 10th, and it’s a fun family-friendly event for a good cause. Participants raise funds for the American Cancer Society, and gather as a community to fight back against cancer.

And for early birds – you can get 50% off of your team registration fee if you register by Jan. 29th! THIS MEANS REGISTRATION IS $50 INSTEAD OF $100!

“So come ready to Sign Up and Kick Some Cancer Butt!” reads an announcement.

HiLine Lanes is located at 15733 Ambaum Blvd. SW (Phone: 206-244-2272).

If you would like to sign up now you can go to this link!:

http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RFLFY12GW?fr_id=38301&pg=entry

Last year when it was held at Highline Memorial Stadium, the benefit saw over 400 people from the cities of Burien, Des Moines, Normandy Park and SeaTac participating on 31 teams, and raising over $64,000 – read our coverage here.

Founded 25 years ago by Tacoma physician Dr. Gordy Klatt, Relay For Life 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.

Relay For Life is a family-oriented event in which teams walk or run in shifts around the track for 12 to 24 hours. Participants traditionally camp out on the field, and, when they are not taking their turn walking, enjoy a variety of entertainment & activities.

The 2011 version is sponsored by BTB Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living, and continues overnight with a closing ceremony at 8 a.m. Sunday morning (June 12th).

We’re told that if you want to join in you still can, but you must show up before 11 p.m. this evening. Readers can also drop by the track and make donations at the North check-in tent. For more details, call Organizer Kim Parks at (206) 683-1707.

One of the more beautiful moments of the annual benefit will take place tonight between 10 – 11 p.m., when the Luminaria ceremony happens; this is where Luminaria candles are lit in honor of cancer victims, lighting up the track.

Some of the other events will take place all night long include:

• 11 p.m.: Scavenger Hunt
• Midnight: Capture the Flag
• 1 a.m.: Glow Stick Tag
• 2 a.m.: Partner Walk
• 3 a.m. – 6 a.m.: Disney Movies
• 6 a.m.: Breakfast
• 8 a.m.: Closing Ceremony

Here are some photos taken by Scott Schaefer this afternoon:

T-shirts emblazoned 'Remember. Fight Back.' await Relay for Life registrants at the check-in table.

Whenever there's a lot of walking, there's bound to be a lot of water.

A cancer survivor listens as Kim Parks opens the event Saturday afternoon.

Elderly Cancer Survivors are helped into a golf cart to lead the 'Survivor's Lap.'

Cancer Survivors all wore t-shirts proclaiming their status.

Mt. Rainer High School is located at 22450 19th Avenue South in Des Moines:

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by Mariah Acuff

We all have a story…

For almost every person you meet, cancer has affected their lives at some point. For local Des Moines resident Savanna May, it entered her life not just once, but twice. Not only was May’s cousin, Nicole Craig, diagnosed with breast cancer but four years later in 2010, so was May’s stepmother, Holly May. Like so many other loved ones of cancer patients, Savanna describes, “the hardest part was watching them go through painful treatment and not begin able to help with anything”.

Little aspects of daily life, such as a good nights sleep, enjoying food, or being able to curl their hair, were taken from Nicole and Holly as they went through chemotherapy. Yet despite the fear May felt for the outcomes of these two women in her life, the family stayed strong and supportive of one another and even with such a negative stress looming over Nicole and Holly, “their emotions were mostly positive, ‘I’m going to beat this’, attitudes.”

Nearly 9 months after her diagnosis, Savanna’s powerful stepmom is currently in remission, having had her final radiation treatment in March. May’s cousin, Nicole, described as spontaneous and caring, has been cancer free for 3 years. When asked what this experience has taught her, Savanna said,

“It taught me to appreciate small things like sleep, and tasting food normally and generally feeling good…You don’t really think how much you’d miss a good nights rest without pain until you’re up for days because of it.”

This is why she fights.

Why do you?

The annual Highline Relay for Life will be held at the Mt. Rainier High School Track, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines, the weekend of June 11 – 12, with the main event running from 3pm Saturday until 8am Sunday,

For more information, visit their website here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=33977

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mariah Acuff is a Senior at Mount Rainier High School. She is also serving on the Publicity Committee for the Highline Relay for Life.

by Mariah Acuff

We all have a story…

Local Sea-Tac resident Trevor Larson has a family history of melanoma. Unfortunately, his mother, aunts, and cousins have all been diagnosed with it in the past making it a risk Trevor will always have to be watchful over, especially considering his occupation as a lifeguard. Yet even with that knowledge, Trevor’s close call with cancer at merely 17 years old was something that would have shocked anyone. After noticing three moles that appeared suspicious, Trevor’s parents decided it was a good idea to take him to the dermatologist where it was then recommended that the moles be removed immediately.

“It’s hard to ignore the possibility that you could have a life threatening disease, but you have to put that behind you and keep on living.” Larson said.

Thankfully, the moles had not yet developed into skin cancer, however Trevor’s scare was a great example of how truly unbiased cancer is about whom it may chose to attack. Larson was lucky, but every year there are countless other children – some are infants or some are seniors in high school just like Trevor – who must face this fight for their lives everyday.

With wise words, Larson reflects on his situation by saying, “Regardless of what you have or what happens to you in life, you can’t change what’s happened but you can change the present and how you’re dealing with the situation.”

This is why he fights.
Why do you?

The annual Highline Relay for Life will be held at the Mt. Rainier High School Track, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines, the weekend of June 11 – 12, with the main event running from 3pm Saturday until 8am Sunday,

For more information, visit their website here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=33977

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mariah Acuff is a Senior at Mount Rainier High School. She is also serving on the Publicity Committee for the Highline Relay for Life.

by Mariah Acuff

It was sophomore year when one of her teachers was diagnosed with cancer.

Highline Relay-er, Paloma Pirotte hadn’t known him for long, but his impact on not only her, his students, and the school was instantly clear. As only the greatest teachers do, he bonded with his students closely becoming a part of the family and a friend, as opposed to simply a person students saw for an hour each day.

“He was like a grandpa figure to me, wise and happy,” stated Pirotte in summary of who this man was in her eyes.

His journey towards fighting cancer unfortunately caused this “grandpa figure” to take months off from teaching, which one could say was a time of great fear and sadness among students and faculty alike. Yet above all, there was hope. Thankfully today, almost two years later, this man has returned to the school where he is deeply loved and appreciated and can be seen everyday greeting his students as they enter his classroom.

When asked what her personal experience with cancer has taught her, Pirotte stated, “I have learned that cancer is real, and one second you are fine, but the next your life has completely changed along with your perspective on how you live it.”

This is why she fights.

Why do you?

The annual Highline Relay for Life will be held at the Mt. Rainier High School Track, located at 22450 19th Ave South in Des Moines, the weekend of June 11 – 12, with the main event running from 3pm Saturday until 8am Sunday,

For more information, visit their website here: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?pg=entry&fr_id=33977

EDITOR’S NOTE: Mariah Acuff is a Senior at Mount Rainier High School. She is also serving on the Publicity Committee for the Highline Relay for Life.

REMINDER: Discover Burien’s Mardi Gras-themed BEADS Lipstick Pub Crawl BEADS will be Thursday BEADS night, March 3rd, from 6pm – 11pm at 11 BEADS Burien restaurants and bars.

Along with the usual BEAD frenzy, there will be Mardi Gras-style food BEADS specials, drinks and BEADS did we mention…BEADS?!

While the Lipstick Pub Crawl is a ladies-night-out activity, men can join in, too. For $10, pub crawlers get drink specials and BEADS at 11 host restaurants and bars, plus a chance at prizes.

HOW IT WORKS:

• Each pub crawler will receive a booklet to be stamped at the host restaurants and bars. If pub crawlers return with a minimum of four stamps to the host restaurant or bar where they started the crawl, they are eligible for prize drawings.
• The drawings will be held between 9:30 and 10:30 p.m. for gift cards and items from local businesses and Mardi Gras sponsors.
• Each participating business will have their own start and finish. So if you sign up at Mick Kelly’s, you finish at Mick Kelly’s for prizes. It is like that for all 9 bars participating:
  • Elliott Bay
  • LaCosta
  • Mick Kelly’s
  • Side Street Kitchen
  • Bison Creak
  • Tin Room
  • CC’s Lounge
  • Pirahna Joes
  • The Mark

“This is what makes this pub crawl unique – each bar participates as an independent crawl,” said Organizer Debra George.

Prizes are swag from various sponsors (Coors Light, Corona, Captian Morgan and Pearl Vodka) and gift cards from participating bars and restaurants.

Pub crawl proceeds will go to the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, as well as offsetting Mardi Gras costs.

For more info, check out our previous event listing post here.

A Burien-based Relay for Life group called “Cruisin4TheCure” is holding a fundraiser car wash this Friday and Saturday, from Noon – 5pm at B&E Meats and Seafood, located at 15003 Ambaum Blvd. SW (206-243-1900).

All proceeds will go towards their fundraising efforts for the American Cancer Society.

This is the second year this teen team has participated in the Relay For Life fundraiser, and according to an email:

With the support of families this energetic, helpful, and creative group of teens has been raising money to help find a cure for cancer.

Last year the team raised $539 and this year they are excited to overcome that amount with a current goal of $1,500.

These team members are highly active and participate in all our events. Our current team consists of:

• Brandi Reints (Team Leader)
• Holly LeMay
• Blaine Chadwick
• J.D. Beaird
• Kirsten Mayer
• Zane
• Dustin Dransfield
• Vanessa Stern
• D.J.
• Rilie Rae Nelson

Here’s more info on Relay for Life:

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life is a life-changing event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease. At Relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.

Relay began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a colorectal surgeon in Tacoma, Washington, ran and walked around a track for 24 hours to raise money for the American Cancer Society. Since then, Relay has grown from a single man’s passion to fight cancer into the world’s largest movement to end the disease. Each year, more than 3.5 million people in 5,000 communities in the United States, along with additional communities in 19 other countries, gather to take part in this global phenomenon and raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer. Thanks to Relay participants, we are creating a world with more birthdays a world where cancer can’t claim another year of anyone’s life.

The Highline Relay for Life will launch this weekend at Highline Memorial Stadium in Burien, with 31 teams and 350 walkers planning on walking round the clock beginning at 3:30pm on Saturday until 10am on Sunday.

So far, these hard working teams have raised over $40,000 towards the fight against cancer.

King County Prosecutor (and area resident) Dan Satterberg will speak at the opening ceremony at 3pm Saturday, with the annual Survivor’s Walk starting at approximately 3:20pm.

New this year are three Evergreen High School teams and two Highline High School teams walking in popular teacher Robin Hoof’s memory. Ms. Hoof lost her battle with breast cancer last year. This from one of her students and team organizer:

“My name is Jaycen Sim and I am captain of one of the three “Hoof Prints” teams that are participating in the Relay for Life in honor of Robin Hoof! I am also president of the Hoof Prints student-led committee at the Health Sciences and Human Services High School, the school Ms. Hoof had taught French to for many years. The main goal of the group is to show love and support for Ms. Hoof and to help others remember her in a more positive way. Some of the things we’ve done are bringing Purple Tuesdays to the school where we all wear purple on the first Tuesday of every month, sell “Ms. Hoof” sweatshirts created in her memory, and hope to bring a plaque to the Evergreen campus as a memorial. As a way to not only show support for Ms. Hoof and the people around her but to other cancer patients and survivors we had decided we’d take part in and donate to the Relay for Life! Ms. Hoof was not only a great teacher to many students but also a great mentor, coach, and friend to everyone in her life and I know she’d be proud of the Hoof Prints committee’s members and all those that have given so much to help. We’ve organized a support group, our place in the Relay, fundraisers and donations and we hope to have helped in securing a place for our memories of Ms. Hoof in the community as well as our hearts.”

The Relay for Life kickoff is 3pm Saturday at Highline Memorial Stadium.

Also new this year is the “Seattle’s Finest” team, which consists of a group of Seattle Police Officers and their family members. They formed a team just one month ago and have so far raised $4,000.

This year participants have collected cans of food to weigh down the lighted Luminaries. According to local event organizer Kim Parks:

“In the past, the bags have been weighed down with sand and real candles. Last year we used battery operated candles and some cans of food. This year we have gone a step further and are asking everyone to bring cans of food (Normandy Park Senior Living has been collecting food for a few weeks). Rick Jump from the White Center Food Bank who will be at the closing ceremony to receive all the cans. It is all about giving back to the community. It also will add an extra celebration to our closing ceremony.”

2010 Relay for Life Sponsors include:

Platinum Level

• Highline Medical Center

Silver Level:

• Sal’s Deli
• Fred Meyer
• The B-Town Blog
• Robinson News
• Dennis Hansen, MD
• Northwest Ingredients
• Normandy Park Senior Living
• Lake Burien Physical Therapy

Bronze Level:

• Jim Coleman, DDS
• Highline Therapy Services
• Northwest Mobile Sound & Lighting

For more information on Highline’s fifth annual relay go to http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=21855&pg=entry.

BTB Advertiser Normandy Park Senior Living is hosting “Strike Out Cancer,” a special bowling FUNdraising event for The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life at Burien’s Hi-Line Lanes on Tuesday, May 18th from 1:30pm – 4pm.

For $20, you’ll get shoe rental, use of a bowling ball, 2-1/2 hours of bowling, appetizer buffet and unlimited coffee, tea and soda.

For $10, you can be a bowling spectator and enjoy appetizer buffet and unlimited coffee, tea and soda.

Here are the details:

WHAT: “Strike Out Cancer,” a special bowling FUNdraising event for The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life

WHEN; Tuesday, May 18, 2010 1:30pm to 4:00pm

WHERE: Hi-Line Lanes, located at 15733 Ambaum Blvd. SW Burien, Washington

INFO: From a flier:

Strikes, spares or gutter balls – all bowling talents welcomed!

For questions or to purchase tickets call us at 206-241-0821

TICKETS: $20 ticket includes shoe rental, use of bowling ball, 21/2 hours of bowling, appetizer buffet and unlimited coffee, tea, soda.

$10 ticket includes bowling spectator, appetizer buffet and unlimited coffee, tea, soda.

Tickets must be purchased by Friday, May 14.

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