Relay for Life benefits ACS, offers attractions
These walkers opened the first lap in the 2015 Relay for Life of Madison. This year’s relay is slated for May 14 at Madison City Schools Stadium. CONTRIBUTED
MADISON – Relay for Life of Madison on May 14 will deal with the somber subject of cancer but also offer family-friendly attractions.
The relay will be held at Madison City Schools Stadium, 211 Celtic Drive. The event heightens awareness of progress and needed future study in cancer research. All proceeds will benefit American Cancer Society.
A Cancer Survivors’ Dinner will begin at 3 p.m. “At 5 p.m., the relay kicks off with opening remarks, followed by the Survivors’ Lap and then a Caregivers’ Lap,” Steve Gordon said.
Gordon is working as the relay’s logistics co-lead. Kelly Nielsen is event lead of the 2016 relay.
Several moon bounces, tire obstacle course, Frisbee contest, Tic-Tac-Toe, bean toss and duck matching game will appeal to children. Adults will enjoy music by Daniel Yalowitz and Blank Pages, Vicious Circle and Groove.
Numerous food vendors will offer concessions. Twenty-plus independent vendors will include Mary Kay, Pampered Chef, Wreaths Plus and Nothing Bundt Cakes.
Madison students have organized relay teams. Bob Jones High School ROTC will participate. From James Clemens High School, Student Government Association and Diamond Dolls baseball auxiliary have signed on. Also, students from St. John the Baptist Catholic School have volunteered.
“Businesses have put together teams from employees and friends,” Gordon said. “These include Kohl’s, Becky Gordon All-State Insurance, Country Financial, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Bancorp South, Empire Fitness and CrossFit, West Main Dance Company and the women’s Leadership Network of McDonalds Restaurants.”
The Madison branch of Huntsville-Madison County Public Library has a team. “Many business teams are led by men and women who have, or have experienced, cancer in the family or among co-workers,” Nielsen said.
At 8:30 p.m., a lights-out Luminary Ceremony will remember individuals who died from cancer and honor any current patients and caregivers. A ceremony at 11 p.m. will close the relay.
To-date, relay sponsors include Cintas, Brock’s Jewelers, Summer Fun Rental, Purity Dairy, Sun Drop Distributors, Coca Cola, Marco’s Pizza on County Line Road, Sullins Eye Care, Madison Hospital and Redstone Federal Credit Union. Texas Roadhouse is catering the Survivors’ Dinner.
For more information, visit Facebook/Relay for Life of Madison or cancer.org.
