PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County residents will do their part to fight cancer during the Relay For Life on Saturday and Sunday.
The American Cancer Society sponsors community relays throughout the country, raising money through pledges and direct contributions.
The Port Townsend event will begin at 6 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Field, 550 Washington St., in Port Townsend with a welcoming ceremony.
A survivors’ lap will immediately follow, featuring people who have beat cancer or who are battling it, with their caretakers.
The relay will continue for 21 hours, until 3 p.m. Sunday.
Money is the tangible goal. This year, the Jefferson County chapter hopes to raise $30,000 for cancer research.
But the event’s primary purpose is to raise awareness about the disease, said Sandra Coca, event chairwoman.
“Many of the participants will be people who have dealt with cancer themselves,” she said.
Proof of progress
“Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been made in reducing cancer death rates and in the quality of life following cancer treatment.”
Coca said the funds raised will enable Jefferson County to continue its investment in the fight against cancer through educational programs, research and services to patients,
The money is sent to the American Cancer Society, which in turn distributes support to local services.
Money raised in Port Townsend benefits the community but not directly, Coca said.
“We don’t have a lot of facilities here, so patients need to go elsewhere for treatment,” she said.
“So the money raised here goes to support facilities in places like Sequim and Seattle.”
Some of the money also supports businesses who offer special training for dealing with cancer.
“If we raise $20,000 here, we get more than $20,000 worth of services,” Coca said.
Teams have own goals
As the event starts, participants arrive with different teams, each with their own fundraising goal.
Another goal is for each team to have one member on the track for each hour of the race, but that doesn’t often happen,
“With a small event like this most of the teams don’t have 21 members,” she said.
Each hour has a theme, such as pajamas, cake and poker.
One of the most popular activities is the lighting of the luminarias, which is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m.
Luminarias carry names of people to be honored or remembered.
Coca said it is hard to raise money for any cause in the weak economy, and that the results of contributions aren’t always readily apparent.
However, contributions made today can help to develop solutions in the future.
“My mother had cancer and recovered after going through chemotherapy.” Coca said.
“I later found out that chemotherapy was developed due to financial support from the American Cancer Society.”
Local sponsors include Jefferson Healthcare, Port Townsend Paper, Harrison Medical Center, Hilltop Tavern, Alaska Power and Telephone, Costco, Jefferson County Parks and Recreation, the Life Care Center of Port Townsend and the Swain Cable Foundation.
Coca said she expects to raise this year’s goal, as nearly two thirds of that money has already been raised.
She said that last year’s goal of $45,000 was not realistic, and the number was re-evaluated when the event only raised about half of that amount.
The Port Townsend Relay For Life is the second on the North Olympic Peninsula this year.
The first was June 11-12 in Port Angeles.
The West End Relay For Life will start Aug. 6 at Forks High School.
Sequim’s event will begin Aug. 14 at Sequim High School.
For 24-hour cancer information, phone the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or see www.cancer.org.
________
Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
