Relay for Life Madison nears event date

The local Relay for Life event on May 2 is less than a month away. (File Photo/Nick Sellers)

By Nick Sellers | Staff Writer

MADISON – Among other things, organizers for this year’s Relay for Life at Madison City Stadium are hoping the weather holds out on May 2 for the event at Madison City Stadium, as the last two years’ events have been rained out.

If it’s sunny, event chair John Few anticipates it to be a successful day of fundraising and awareness for the American Cancer Society.

The community-based fundraising event, which will run from 4–10 p.m. raised $24,000 in Madison last year. This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, Cure.”

The local chapter held its last official team meeting at the Holiday Inn on April 7 to tie up loose ends and coordinate logistics for the event, which will be held on the grassy area adjacent to the ticket offices for the Madison City Stadium.

Organizers hope to host appearances for food trucks throughout the day. There is still time to organize a team before the event..

“There will be a lot of opportunities at the event to raise funds for your team should you decide to participate between now and May 2,” Few said.

Teams are requested to have their equipment set up by 3:30 p.m. on May 2. Tents for the campsites, supplies and money for on-site fundraisers, change of clothes, folding chairs, walking shoes, tables and sun screens are included in the list of recommended items for teams to bring the day of the event.

Fundraising options for teams include selling $5 luminarias, which are paper bags lit from the inside. The luminarias are lit during twilight and are inscribed in remembrance of those who have been affected by cancer.

“It really adds so much to the relay experience and to the environment,” Karen Borden of the American Cancer Society said.

More information on the May 2 event, including how to sign up, can be found at relayforlife.org/madisonal.