Submitted photo: Elkins Rehabilitation & Care Center officials present a $1,500 check for the Relay For Life Gold Sponsorship. ERCC employees are permitted to wear jeans on Fridays if they donate $1 to the American Cancer Society. Those donations are combined with money from ERCC to fund the Gold Sponsorship. Pictured from left are Robert Wilmoth, ERCC Board of Directors Chairman, Tara Shaver, ERCC Administrator and Michael Alkire, Relay for Life Community Manager.

ELKINS — Cancer survivors will be honored Saturday at the 2019 Randolph County Relay For Life in Elkins Town Square.

Scheduled to run from noon to midnight Saturday, the Relay For Life event will serve as a fundraiser to support the fight against cancer.

Michael Alkire, community manager for Relay For Life, has said, “If there are any survivors or if there’s anybody that knows a survivor, we’d like to get them involved.”

The Opening Ceremony kicks off the event by honoring everyone who’s been affected by cancer and everyone who has contributed to the success of this year’s Relay season.

The Survivor/Caregiver Walk honors their strength and courage with every step they take. It doesn’t matter if you were diagnosed 10 days ago or 10 years ago, you can walk while everyone gathers together to cheer you on.

During the Luminaria Ceremony everyone who is touched by cancer is represented with a Luminaria candle. Each light represents a life–a life taken by cancer, a survivor of cancer, or a support for a person still fighting the disease. It’s a powerful demonstration that gives people the opportunity to grieve but also offers comfort and hope.

The Closing Ceremony is the time to commit to take action and help lead the fight for a world free from cancer. It’s a time to celebrate what we’ve accomplished together and a time to unify for the work that needs to be done moving forward.

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.

There is no registration fee for participants, and the Randolph County group welcomes anyone interested in volunteering.

The annual event takes place at the Elkins Town Square, and will feature entertainment, food, a silent auction and lots of activities designed to raise funds to help fight against cancer. Each year, cancer survivors take the first lap around the square after opening ceremonies, before being joined by caregivers, sponsors and then everyone who is participating in Relay.

More information is available on the Randolph County Relay For Life Facebook page.