Polk County
Living
Polk County Itemizer-Observer • June 8, 2016 7A
R ELAY FOR L IFE
Event raises awareness,
money, provides hope
Photos and story by Emily Mentzer
The Itemizer-Observer
INDEPENDENCE — Eliz-
abeth Lutz, 11, was eager to
participate in her first Relay
for Life event on Saturday at
Independence Riverview
Park.
She had lost both her
grandmother and grandfa-
ther to cancer.
“I wanted to do some-
thing to get rid of it,” Eliza-
beth said.
She wasn’t alone.
Hundreds packed the
track in downtown Inde-
pendence; 24 teams regis-
tered online, with a total of
353 participants.
The total money raised
through year-long fundrais-
ers combined with sales and
silent auctions during the
event brought in $53,150,
benefiting the American
Cancer Society.
The crowd ranged from
first-timers, like Elizabeth, to
veteran relayers, like the
Holy Walkamolies and the
Determinators.
One team new to Relay
was filled with youthful en-
ergy. Members of the Tal-
madge Cougars took a
campsite on the corner, and
willingly sprayed down any
walker who passed their
way — with permission, of
course.
The eighth-graders put
the team together after lis-
tening to a speaker in an
elective class which focuses
on doing a big project that
benefits the community.
Students raised nearly
$1,500 toward the fight
against cancer.
“The kids are providing
the power; the parents are
providing the support,” said
teacher Aaron Currier.
Students really got into
the spirit of Relay, partici-
pating in theme laps and
even having a contestant for
Mr. Relay, a cross-dressing,
fun way to raise more
money during the Relay
event.
Usually the event is for
boys to done dresses and
strut around the track, but
this year the competition
was open for girls to dress as
boys, too.
A young man from Tal-
madge put on a grass skirt,
coconut bra and lei, and got
busy collecting donations.
Whoever collected the most
would win the title of Mr.
Relay 2016.
Another Mr. Relay con-
testant came to the Tal-
madge Cougar’s tent seeking
donations.
“No, No!” students chant-
ed.
“We have a fine specimen
of Mr. Relay here,” the com-
petitor’s chaperone said.
“We already have our
girl,” the youth responded.
“Nothing wrong with hav-
ing another one!” came the
reply.
But students were set in
their decision: there would
be no supporting a second
With temperatures climbing to a record-breaking 99 degrees on Saturday, participants of Relay for Life raised
money by selling cooling neck wraps. All participants had to take precautions to stay cool during the event.
Mr. Relay.
While organizers make
the event fun, participants
never forget the real reason
they do Relay for Life: can-
cer.
During the luminaria
ceremony, longtime worker
with the Dallas Fire & EMS
was honored, Terri Waller,
who died of cancer last
year.
The path was lined with
paper lanterns remembering
others who have died — or
who were fighting, or who
won the battle — from can-
cer.
For more information: re-
layforlife.org.
New to Relay this year, Talmadge Middle School’s community enrichment class de-
cided to put together a team to help the efforts to battle cancer and raise awareness.
The young group brought a positive energy to the event.
A chain made of colored paper links wrapped around the survivor’s tent. Each color
represents a type of cancer. The number of links added represents years each survivor
at Polk County Relay for Life has battled or survived that particular cancer.
Luminarias light the walking path at Independence Riverview Park all night. Each
paper lantern honors someone who has battled cancer or who is still fighting the dis-
ease, or is in memory of someone who lost the fight. A few were in memory of pets.
This year’s Relay for Life theme was “May the Cure be With You.” Many tent sites were
decorated with the Star Wars theme, and laps were designed to dress up as characters
from the famous films. At midnight, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens” was shown.