Relay for life gearing up for June
JEFFERSON — The American Cancer Society Relay for Life organizers are hoping for more teams of walkers to participate this year at the Ashtabula County event.
'Basically we are reaching out on social media,' said Lori Jean Shinkle, who is organizing the survivor events, which will take place June 28 at Giddings Park in Jefferson.
The change from an all-night Relay for Life to a shorter event hurt the numbers of people involved, she said.
The coronavirus pandemic also provided challenges for Relay for Life, with the result of fewer people participating.
Shinkle said the amount of cancer survivors participating has dropped significantly.
'At one point, we had 144, and this year we have 37 [signed up so far],' she said.
The event is scheduled to start at noon June 28, by connecting with Patsy's Run, Shinkle said. She said the survivors's dinner will follow shortly after and the opening walk, between 1-1:30 p.m.
Shinkle said anyone interested in participating can call 440-344-7294 or 1-800-337-2345, or sign up online at relayforlife.org/ashtabula, which is the preferred method.
Survivors receive a meal for them and a caregiver, a shirt and other prizes, Shinkle said.
The event has taken place for decades at a variety of sites throughout Ashtabula County, including Kent State Ashtabula, Grand River Academy and the Ashtabula County Fairgrounds.
The money raised is used to fund research to find cures for cancer, cancer prevention efforts and patient care efforts.
Over the years a variety of speakers have shared their cancer survival stories with those in attendance.
A variety of pre-relay fundraisers have already occurred or are in the planning stages. A polar bear plunge in the dead of winter provided a jolt to the body and some extra money to fight cancer.
A spaghetti dinner for Relay for Life is scheduled for 4-7 p.m. May 1, through Team Imagine Believe, with adult tickets available for $12, and children 12 and under $7, said Annette Montgomery who is helping arrange the event at Ashcraft Industries in Kingsville Township.
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