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Relay For Life slated next month

Submitted photo This year’s Randolph County Relay For Life Survivors Breakfast takes place Saturday at a new location, Graceland Inn & Restaurant, which also served as an event sponsor.

Submitted photo This year's Randolph County Relay For Life Survivors Breakfast takes place Saturday at a new location, Graceland Inn & Restaurant, which also served as an event sponsor.

ELKINS — There’s still time for teams and individuals to join fundraising efforts in the annual Relay For Life event, which is coming up next month in Elkins.

The 2017 Randolph County Relay For Life event is scheduled for June 10 in the Elkins Town Square, and 19 teams are signed up so far, said Michael Alkire, community manager.

Of those teams, eight are new this year, and there are 59 cancer survivors signed up to participate, Alkire said, adding there is always room for more people.

“It’s open to everybody,” he said. “We have teams that have been involved a long, long time, and we have a good mix of new teams, too.”

Teams have been hosting a range of fundraisers leading up to Relay, including auctions, cakewalks, bingos, bake sales, a softball tournament and more. One team is hosting a Sangria Night painting party fundraiser at 3 p.m. Sunday, and anyone interested can call 304-614-0216 for more information or to register.

Another upcoming fundraiser is the 5K Relay For Life Run/Walk, set at 9 a.m. June 10 at the Elkins Depot on the morning of the Relay event. It will be co-sponsored by West Virginia Lottery, and anyone who would like to register or get more information can call Peggy Young Ross at 304-406-2111 or email her at peggyb1119@yahoo.com.

Randolph County Relay For Life also hosted the annual Survivor Breakfast on Saturday, and this year it took place at Graceland Inn & Restaurant. About 40 survivors attended, and they each were able to bring a guest.

“It was great. There was a nice turnout, a great setting and it was nice to be someplace new,” Alkire said, noting how much the group appreciated the support from Graceland.

He said the annual Survivor Breakfast is scheduled prior to the Relay For Life event each year, both to honor cancer survivors and their caregivers, as well as to try to get them registered for the main Relay event.

“I think that’s when people really start thinking about Relay,” he said.

This year’s event will include a Survivor Reception sponsored by Davis Health System at 11 a.m., and opening ceremonies are scheduled for noon.

Survivors will take the first lap around the square, before being joined by caregivers, sponsors and then everyone who is joining Relay and trying to help fight cancer. The event also will include entertainment, refreshments for sale, chances to win prizes and other activities throughout the afternoon.

Funds are used to support the American Cancer Society and its research to help find cures for cancer as well as ways to prevent cancer. Funds also support patients through services such as free transportation to and from treatment, free wigs and other support.

Alkire said the Randolph County Relay For Life fundraising goal is $60,000, and every donation is appreciated.

The county’s website, which can be found by visiting http://relay.acsevents.org and then searching by ZIP code, has additional information about how to register or donate.

“At Relay For Life no donation is too small, each and every dollar counts,” the website says. “Your donations help fund groundbreaking cancer research, patient care programs, and can make a difference in communities like ours. With every donation, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives.”

More information also is available by calling Alkire at 304-645-7970.

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