LaBelle's Relay For Life Celebration

Celebrate, Remember, And Fight Back

LABELLE, FL. -- LaBelle's annual American Cancer Society Relay For Life event takes place Saturday afternoon April 16th beginning at 3 P.M. through Sunday morning, giving everyone a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost, and fight back against the disease.

(Click on video above to play)

Teams will camp out at the LaBelle High School football field and take turns walking or running around the track Saturday through Sunday morning. And because "cancer never sleeps" each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event.

The Relay "Traditions" common to all Relay For Life events include:

Celebrate - The Survivors & Caregivers Lap - 6 P.M. Saturday Relay starts with a Survivors and Caregivers Lap, an inspirational time when survivors are invited to circle the track together and help everyone celebrate the victories achieved over cancer, and creating a world with more birthdays, like those celebrating on the track.

Remember - The Luminaria Ceremony - 9 P.M. Saturday After dark, honored are people who have been touched by cancer, and remember loved ones lost to the disease during the Luminaria Ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer. Participants often walk a lap in silence.

Fight Back Through Fundraising In addition to what the fundraising teams do before the Relay, there are fundraising opportunities available onsite. From food, face painters, crafts and more, allowing participants and visitors to support the fight against cancer.

Thanks to :aBelle's Relay participants, a world is created with more birthdays where cancer can't claim another year of anyone's life. LaBelle's Relay For Life chairpersons deserve your thanks for organizing this event. Feel free to email your encouragement, thanks and messages to them:

• Mary Risley - Event Chair
• Tara Sherrod - Team Development Chair
• Callie Walker - Sponsorship Chair
• Phil Pelletier - Survivor/Caregiver Chair
• Gail Pelletier - Mission Education Chair
• Dawn Long - Advocacy Chair
• Gisela Ellsworth - Luminaria Chair
• Jerri Awbrey - Activities/Entertainment Chair
• Preston Long - Logistics Chair
• Patty Brant - Publicity Chair
• Susan Smith - Online Chair
• Nancy Gruber - Accounting/Registration Chair

The top fund raising participants include Yvette Williams, $1506; Carey Sherrod, $1938; and Shellie Johnson, $936.

http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=29734&pg=topparticipantlist - Participant List

Top Teams include Country Oaks Elementary School, $5157; City of LaBelle, $4257; and Oakbrook of LaBelle, $1715.

http://relay.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=29734&pg=teamlist - Team List

Last year $42,000 was raised and this year's goal is $46,000.