Seminole Heights to Raise Money for Cancer Research with 18-Hour Walk

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life of Seminole Heights will begin on Friday night, April 13, and will continue through Saturday morning, April 14. 

Relay for Life is an overnight fundraising event where teams of people camp out around a track and take turns walking it to raise awareness and money for cancer research. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and fundraising opportunities.

Thirty-two groups with a total of 403 participants will take part in the 2012 Relay for Life of Seminole Heights at 5000 Central Ave.

Relay for Life of Seminole Heights event chair Chad Daughtrey encourages everybody to come out and support the cause, even if they are not registered to walk. 

“One of the things that builds Seminole Heights is the sense of neighborhood,” he said.

Each team will raise money by selling food and goods and providing entertainment and activities.

The 18-hour long event will kick off with an opening ceremony at 6 p.m. Survivors will circle the track together in celebration of the victory they have achieved over cancer during a survivors lap at 6:30 p.m.

A luminaria ceremony at 10 p.m. will remember loved ones who lost their lives to the disease and honor those who won the battle as candles are lit inside bags bearing their names.

Daughtrey said that this year’s goal is to raise $52,000. The fundraising progress was at $26,000 as of Wednesday, April 11. In 2011, the organization met its goal of raising $50,000.

Luminaria organizer Jasmine Rogasner said that it is important for the community to get involved because cancer can touch anyone and it has affected many lives in Seminole Heights. 

“Even a small community like Seminole Heights can help raise thousands of dollars and come one step closer to defeating cancer,” she said.

Rogasner said that people staying overnight should remember to bring warm clothing.

“Last year, people were freezing,” she said.

Check out the .

Click here for more information or to join an existing team.

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