Relay for Life celebrates survivors, raises funds and awareness

The 28th Sussex County Relay for Life took place Sept. 7 at Sandhill Fields in Georgetown, where the American Cancer Society honored cancer survivors, caregivers and those lost to the disease. Relay for Life is the largest not-for-profit fundraiser for the American Cancer Society.

This year’ theme Pirates of the Cure-Ibbean, had attendees set sail to raise money for the American Cancer Society. There was a pirate costume contest and a pirate ship contest. 

Music, games, raffles, a car show, a bounce house, food trucks and other activities created an atmosphere of fun and, most of all, love for the attendees.

A special luminaria ceremony to honor loved ones that have passed from cancer was held at dusk.

Relay for Life events are held around the country to support and celebrate survivors and caregivers. Relay for Life makes sure no one faces cancer alone.

Saturday’s event started at 4 p.m. with a survivor reception sponsored by the TidalHealth Allen Cancer Center, where survivors and their caregivers were treated to a pasta dinner. The meal was donated by Pizza Palace.

Beebe Healthcare sponsored the opening ceremony that began at 5 p.m., where numerous guests spoke about their battle with cancer. Guest speaker Paul Williams of Coast TV spoke about surviving prostate cancer.

“We men have to speak about prostate cancer,” he said. “Ladies have to speak about breast cancer. You can’t be embarrassed about it. It needs to be discussed.”

“As the volunteer chair, I want to thank everyone for all of their help leading up to our event and for everyone coming to our event on Saturday,” said Relay for Life Chair Kathy Blanchette. “I want to thank all of our sponsors for their generous support and especially Beebe Healthcare for being our presenting sponsor. The weather held off for us, and we had a beautiful evening without any rain. We have been working hard all year raising money. To date, we have raised $52,806. Our event goal for 2024 is $70,000, so you can see we need to raise quite a bit more money before the middle of December.”

To donate, go to relayforlife.org/sussexcode.