The Relay for life began with one man, one track, and one goal.

In 1985, American Cancer Society volunteer Dr Gordy Klatt put on his jogging gear and headed for the local oval after a good friend of his succumbed to cancer.

Twenty-four hours and 81 miles later, Klatt had raised $27,000 in sponsored donations for the American Cancer Society. Relay for Life is now the world’s largest fundraising event.

Money raised at Relay for

Life events saves lives by

OPELIKA MISSIONARY financing cancer research, early-detection and prevention education, advocacy

efforts, and life-affirming

patient services.

BAPTIST CHURCH

Through the efforts of Relay for Life participants, approximately $55,000 was raised by volunteers on over 20 teams at last year’s event. That is money that serves Henderson County.

The Relay for Life urges volunteers to form teams and raise money through a variety of fundraisers, online, and from family and friends.

According to Theresa Bluhm, American Cancer Society community manager for the High Plains Division, 100 percent of the money raised at the Henderson County Relay

for Life stays in Henderson

County.

MISSIONARY This year, the Henderson County Relay for Life will be at the county’s Fair Park

Complex on May 14, from

7 p.m. to 7 a.m. This lifeaffi

CHURCH rming event symbolizes the cancer journey from the dark night of diagnosis, through the agony and trials of treatment, to the light of hope at the dawn of the new day.

At least one member of each team is represented at all times as participants walk around a track for the duration of the event, from 12 to 24 hours.

Games and bands are scheduled during these events, but the reason for the event is never far from anyone’s mind. Celebrate, Remember, Fight Back is the motto of the Relay for Life.

For information on how to be a part of this event, contact committee Chair Jennifer Williams at 903- 714-1942, or visit relayforlife. org/hendersoncotx.