Family and friends of Karnes County use hearts and feet to fight cancer

In its ninth year, walkers will go around the clock in the battle against cancer during the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Karnes County.

Teams of residents from Kenedy, Karnes City, Falls City and Runge will gather at the Kenedy High School Stadium on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. for an overnight relay against cancer.

Relay For Life, the Society’s signature event, is a life-changing experience that helps us celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and to fight back against a disease that takes too much. This unforgettable event raises awareness and funds to save lives, help those touched by cancer, and empower people to fight back against this disease.

This family-oriented team event features participants as they walk relay-style around the track and take part in fun activities off the track. Teams can include coworkers, club members, family and friends who have gathered donations prior to the event. Good Shepherd Lutheran Church of Kenedy is the Diamond Sponsor. Dr. Joel and Liz Saldana are sponsors for the Survivors Ceremony and Lap, and the Schuenemann Office is sponsor of the Luminaria Ceremony.

The stadium will open at 3 p.m. for teams to begin setting up campsites. The concession stand, operated by the Kenedy High School FCCLA and FFA, will open at 6 p.m., and the reception for Cancer Survivors and their caregivers will start at 6:30 p.m. A reception for sponsors and the silent auction will also start at 6:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies will be held at 7 p.m., followed by the Cancer Survivors recognition and lap. The Luminaria Ceremony will be held at 9 p.m.

Participants will continue their quest against cancer with the Fight Back Ceremony at 1 a.m. All team members will join in the Final Lap at 6:30 a.m., followed by Closing Ceremonies and presentation of event awards.

Members of some 20 teams will relay throughout the night, with at least one team member walking, running or rocking at all times. There will be special activities for team members to participate in, such as the rock ‘n roll lap, the cardboard box lap, and a Mister Relay contest to help motivate them and add some fun to the worthy cause. There will be a Kids Tent from 7 p.m. – 10 p.m. with activities for the younger set, and a licensed massage therapist will give massages. Entertainment will include local singing talent and DJ music. There will be a silent auction, and campsites will offer games such as bunco, and other activities for visitors as well as team members.

"Relay For Life is a unique opportunity for our community to come together in the fight against cancer," said Gretchen Dupnik, event chair. "Many of the participants are cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer), which serves as a reminder that our community is not immune to this disease and we can actually help our friends, families and neighbors that have been touched by cancer," Dupnik added.

The public is also invited to attend the Luminaria Ceremony, which will take place after sundown. To honor the community’s cancer survivors and to remember those lost to the disease, survivors will circle the track rimmed with glowing luminarias while the names of survivors and those lost to the disease are read aloud. Luminarias are available for a donation of $5 each

The 2008 Karnes County Relay For Life Committee includes Donna Kelley and Sandy Trevino, Team Recruitment; Donna Sekula, Treasurer; Vi Malone and Cliff Baker, Online; Marie Welkener; Sponsorship. Also Phillis Ender and Deene Janysek, Survivorship; Pumpkin Culpepper and Tina Jones, Luminaria; Sharon Bedorz, Activities; Christina Garza, Advocacy; Mary Kruciak, Silent Auction; Darlene Puente, Publicity; Bruno Mata and Ricky Garza, Logistics; Glenda Cummings and David Garcia, Concession Stand. Our American Cancer Society Staff Partner is Kayla Reese.

Funds raised from Relay For Life support the American Cancer Society research program, which spends approximately $100 million each year on cancer research. The American Cancer Society dedicates more money to cancer research than any other private, not-for-profit, non-government funder of cancer research in the United States. Since the program began in 1946, the American Cancer Society has invested $3.1 billion dollars into cancer research; forty-two scientists who received funding from the American Cancer Society during their careers went on to win the Nobel Prize.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information anytime, call toll free 1.800.ACS.2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

For more information, contact Gretchen Dupnik at 583-9616, gdupnik@sbcglobal.net or click the link to the Karnes County Relay For Life web site at www.thecountywide.com.