SEQUIM — The 2010 Sequim Relay For Life, which will take over the Sequim High School track from noon Saturday to 8 a.m. Sunday, will celebrate all the birthdays that cancer research and treatment helped make possible.
The theme is “The American Cancer Society: The Official Sponsor of Birthdays.”
“Better treatment and better diagnosis has allowed people to have more birthdays even after they’ve had cancer,” said Susan Van Ausdle, chairwoman of the event.
“The whole relay is a big birthday party.”
Clowns, balloons, birthday cakes, cupcakes, a cakewalk, a cake decorating contest and a birthday hat construction contest are examples of the ways in which the birthday theme will be played out at the event, which is a celebration of yearlong activities to raise money for American Cancer Society research and programs.
The group’s fundraising goal this year is $23,000, of which $10,000 had been raised by Thursday.
The Sequim teams made their fundraising goal of $16,000 in 2009, Van Ausdle said.
After a soft opening at 11 a.m. at the track at 601 N. Sequim Ave., the opening ceremonies will commence at noon.
Former Sequim Mayor Walt Schubert, a cancer survivor, will address members of the 10 teams and other participants and visitors before the first laps are taken, Van Ausdle said.
Memorial laps
Cancer survivors will walk the first lap around the track.
The second lap will be of survivors and their caretakers.
The third lap will be dedicated to Robert Couch, a Sequim man who died in June after a four-year battle with a cancerous brain tumor.
“The one thing I will always remember about Robert was his enthusiasm,” Van Ausdle said.
“He just loved life and loved people and he wanted to help people.”
Couch had been in remission after his initial diagnosis four years earlier when cancer was found again last fall, Van Ausdle said.
Shortly before that, he had volunteered to serve as a driver for the American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery Program, which provides cancer patients with transportation to medical care.
“The third lap this year will be Robert’s lap,” Van Ausdle said.
In addition to laps, parties, contests and live music, the Sequim Relay For Life also will feature a silent auction that will include such items as a 19-inch LCD TV, as well as information booths about services available to those with cancer.
Information about programs
“We like to educate people on the programs of the American Cancer Society,” Van Ausdle said.
“It’s not all research money,” she said, mentioning the Road to Recovery program, as well as programs that provide makeup kits and tips, prostheses and wigs to help patients feel better.
“Research is vital but at the same time, if the patient can’t get there, the research is no good,” Van Ausdle said.
“To me, the most important thing is that my neighbors can get to cancer treatment if they need it. We can make them feel better right here at home.”
Participants can, for a $10 donation, receive a T-shirt. All are welcome to come out to the track and enjoy the festivities, Van Ausdle said.
The Sequim Relay For Life is the last of the events on the North Olympic Peninsula this summer. Events were held earlier in Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Forks.
