VERO BEACH — Recognizing that cancer is an all too common reality, the committee for the seventh annual Relay For Life of the Beaches opted to put a Reality TV spin on this year’s fundraiser with the upbeat theme – Let’s Make a Cure a Reality.
Approximately 25 teams turned out for the overnight affair, camping out at Riverside Park from Friday evening into Saturday morning, with the goal of keeping at least one team member on the track at all times, while also encouraging last minute fundraising with food, games, crafts and chance drawings.
Teams played off the theme with creative campsites such as Dale Sorensen Real Estate’s Deadliest Catch, Relay for Dollie Mae’s Ghost Hunters: Hunting for a Cure, Saint Edward’s School’s Extreme Makeover Edition; Beachland Elementary School’s Swamp People, Gould Cooksey’s The Apprentice: Cancer You’re Fired!, Vero Insurance’s Gator Boys: Chomp Down on Cancer, VNA’s Minute to Win It, and Relay for Jay’s Duck Dynasty: Quack for a Cure.
To keep spirits and energy levels up, entertainment was provided on stage all through the night and a bounce house kept the little ones amused.
A clearly optimistic spirit abounded, with everyone of like mind in the urgent need to raise money for cancer research and an awareness of cancer prevention, detection and education.
Going into the event, Relay for Life of the Beaches had already raised more than $73,500.
“Despite being the newest, they’ve raised the most money of all three relays,” said Dr. Rob Callery, American Cancer Society of Indian River County board chairman.
“They’re small and powerful.”
During the opening ceremonies Andrea Smith, who chaired the event for the second year, enthusiastically stated, “Tonight we are making a cure a reality. We will continue the fight tomorrow and well into the future. Relay is not only life changing; it’s life saving.”
Smith recognized all who contributed to the successful event, especially top sponsors George E. Warren, VNA of the Treasure Coast and Dale Sorensen Real Estate.
Keynote speaker Dr. Ramesh Kumar of Coastal Radiation & Oncology and an American Cancer Society board member said that cancer deaths have decreased by 20 percent since peaking in the early 1990’s.
He credited the improvement to research made possible through fundraising efforts, and added, “But more than that it’s people; and teenagers are now part of that group. These young minds can think outside the box.”
Noting that the bad news is that 1.6 million people in the United Sates will be diagnosed with cancer this year he added, “So, the fight continues.”
Courageous fighters all – the Relay began with cancer survivors who were cheered on by the crowd during the inspirational Survivors’ Victory Lap and later, as the sun went down, an emotional Luminaria Ceremony honoring loved ones served as a reminder that “hope lights the way.”
The American Cancer Society, which this year celebrated its 100th birthday, is the largest not-for-profit funding source of cancer research in the United States.
Last year $20.5 million was raised in Florida through Relay for Life events to benefit the American Cancer Society.