Butler County Relay For Life

Tue, 05/07/2013 - 10:43pm — Diane Dyer

Friday was the start of a long rainy weekend, and although the night might have been a dreary one, people from around the community gathered at the Butler County High School football field for the Butler County Relay for Life. A Relay for Life event is where communities gather to honor cancer survivors, remember lost loved ones, and raise money to help fight back. This year, twelve teams participated including a team from Morgantown Elementary, Butler County Middle School, and two teams from Butler County High School.

Following the BCHS football team’s blue/white scrimmage, local teams set up booths in order to raise money for the event. The booths offered many things such as face painting, bouncy houses, pulled pork, cupcakes and fried Oreos.

The ceremonies started with the honoring of cancer survivors. Each cancer survivor had their name called and received a medal. After that, the Butler County High School drum line led those survivors around the track one time. A second lap was then taken by those survivors and their loved ones, followed by a third lap that was open for everyone to walk in honor of those survivors. A torch was lit in memory of Robert Cunningham and carried around the track.

After the opening ceremonies, the lights were turned off and everyone gathered close as names of those who have lost the battle with cancer were announced. Normally, a candle ceremony is held in remembrance of those people. Because of the rainy weather, glow sticks were broken instead.

When asked about her experience with Relay for Life, team captain Audrey Porter had this to say: “Relay for Life is an amazing event where we honor survivors, support the fighters, and remember the taken. I am thankful to be a team captain to such a great event. I can’t wait to watch the Relay grow in the upcoming years.” Over $13,000 has been raised to help fight back against cancer, with many fundraisers still to come this summer.