SEQUIM — About 165 people have registered so far — and a number of new teams will be on board — for the sixth annual Relay For Life of Sequim beginning tonight.
The overnight event runs from 3 p.m. today to noon Saturday at the Sequim High School track, north of Fir Street.
As of Thursday afternoon, relay Chairwoman Susan Van Ausdle said close to $20,000 has been pledged to fight cancer.
New teams include the Clallam County Public Utility District with 19 members and Office Depot with 17.
Other new participants include Olympic Medical Center’s Sequim Cancer Center and a number of local bankers.
The event at the Sequim High School track brought in about $26,000 in 2010.
“Even though the economy is bad, I think we will at least meet last year’s amount,” said Van Ausdle, who has led the event for three years.
“But there is a lot of stuff that goes on this weekend.”
Events include:
■ At 7 p.m. today, Great Clips will cut hair for Locks of Love to donate to cancer patients. Hair must be 10 inches or longer.
■ Live music will be provided by the Washington Old Time Fiddlers, hula dancers and cloggers.
■ KSQM Radio’s Five-O show airs from the event tonight.
Opening ceremonies
Opening ceremonies kick off at 6 p.m. today, with a special cancer survivors lap.
Several special laps and events are planned for the event, including for survivors and caregivers.
The event has strong volunteer support, Van Ausdle said, and is planned year-round.
Volunteers had a booth at the Sequim Lavender Festival Street Fair and a float in the Sequim Irrigation Festival parade and operate a Facebook page.
Relay teams keep at least one person running or walking at a time throughout the event.
Money is raised by individuals or teams who have sponsors or donors.
It all raises money for the American Cancer Society, going into research, education, patient advocacy and patient services.
Sign-ups for the event are accepted until it starts at 6 p.m. today.
A major focus this year will be placed on caregivers, she said, for all they do to help cancer patients survive.
A moving luminaria ceremony is set for 10 tonight at the track, and Van Ausdle said it is a sight to behold.
It will be “bigger and better than ever,” she promised.
“It’s a real emotional ceremony,” she said.
“We read off all the names of the loved ones that have had cancer or those that families have lost.”
Arts and crafts tent
Participating parents can leave their children at an arts and crafts tent, though it is not a baby-sitting service, Van Ausdle said.
The Sequim Relay For Life is the final one for the year on the North Olympic Peninsula.
Port Angeles, Port Townsend and Forks relays were held earlier this year.
Teams, individuals and donors can visit www.relayforlife.org/sequimwa for more information.
To reach the American Cancer Society, phone 425-322-1120.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Jeff Chew can be reached at 360-681-2391 or at jeff.chew@peninsuladailynews.com.
