BLYTHEWOOD – Cancer survivors and their friends and relatives converged at Doko Manor on the afternoon of Sunday, Jan. 21 to kick off the 2018 Relay for Life of Blythewood. Munching on pizza, winning door prizes and telling their stories, participants celebrated those who have been touched by cancer, remembered love ones lost and talked about ways to take action for lifesaving change.
The main event (the relay) for 2018 is scheduled for May 11 and will be hosted for the first time at Doko Meadows Park. The theme will be ‘Rock and Roll over Cancer.’
Teams, sponsors, volunteers, cancer survivors and caregivers are needed to make the event engaging and successful, said organizer Stephanie Reely.
“Funds raised help the American Cancer Society attack cancer in dozens of ways, each of them critical to achieving a world without cancer,” Reely said, “from developing breakthrough therapies to building supportive communities, from providing empowering resources to deploying activists to raise awareness.”
Dr. Cheryl Guy, Principal of Westwood High School and one of the organizers of the Blythewood event, said the move to Doko Park this year from the athletic field at Blythewood High School was to make the event more central to the whole community.
“Here, we’re in the middle of the town and will be very visible and easy to find,” Guy said. “We’re looking for a great turnout again this year.”
To volunteer or to make plans to participate in the relay in May, go to RelayForLife.org/blythewoodsc, call Stephanie Reely at 803-678-4174 or email [email protected].