Despite rain, last year’s American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Lyon County raised more than $70,000 — the biggest and best event the group has had.
The event, which is held annually in Lyon County, starts 6 p.m. Friday and runs until 6 a.m. Sept. 8 at the Emporia High School track.
Money raised from the event benefits the American Cancer Society.
This year’s theme is “Big Top ... Big Cure!” The evening will be filled with activities including a survivor ceremony at 6 p.m. and a luminary ceremony at 9:30 p.m. The luminaries can be purchased for $10 to honor loved-ones and will be placed around the track.
New this year is an event called Messages to Heaven. Tara Dold of the relay said balloons will be released at 7:45 p.m. Friday. For a donation, people can write a message on a balloon to someone who was lost to cancer.
A survivor dinner will be held Friday evening and is being donated and served by Sodexho from Emporia State University.
The silent auction will be from 6:30 to 11 p.m. on Friday. Items include an out-of-town get-away to Wichita and in-town get-aways such as movies and meals as well as sports-related items like signed ESU men’s football and ESU women’s team basketball.
“This auction has grown in volume and dollar amount raised each year,” said Kathy Salts of the relay. “But, this would not be possible without the wonderful support from the Emporia Merchants and surrounding area.”
Dold said teams still can be formed but they won’t be able to get T-shirts.
“If anybody wants a last-minute team, we can waive the registration fee, there just won’t be a T-shirt,” she said. “We don’t want to turn anybody away.”