National Honor Society, advised by Mrs. Reyes, raises money each year for the Relay for Life event.  This year the event will be held in Austintown on June 4 from 10 am until 10 pm.

Relay for life is an organized, overnight community walk that fundraises for cancer. Teams of people camp out around a track, while members of each team take turns walking around the track. Food, games and activities provide entertainment. It’s a friendly- family environment for the entire community.

The first lap of the night is called the “Survivors Lap.” During the survivors lap, all cancer survivors at the event take the first lap around the track, celebrating their victory over cancer while cheered on by the other participants who line the track. Relay For Life events also recognize and celebrate caregivers, who give time, love and support to their friends, family neighbors and coworkers facing cancer.

The Luminaria Ceremony takes place after dark, so we can remember people we have lost to cancer, honor people who have fought cancer in the past, and support those whose fight continues. Candles are lit inside of personalized bags and are placed around the Relay track as glowing tributes to those who’ve been affected by cancer.

The Fight Back Ceremony is an emotionally powerful ceremony that inspires Relay participants to take action. This ceremony symbolizes the emotional commitment each of us make in the fight against cancer. The action taken represents what we are willing to do for ourselves, for our loved ones, and for our community to fight cancer year-round and to commit to saving lives.

History of this event dates back to May 1985, when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington. He ultimately raised $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society fight the nation’s biggest health concern cancer. A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. Since those first steps, the Relay for Life movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.