Relay for Life to honor past participants at 30th relay June 3

Relay for Life of Monroe County is inviting past relayers to attend a special reception planned as part of its 30th anniversary celebration for the 2023 relay June 3 at the Monroe County Fairgrounds.

An opening ceremony begins at noon near the main stage at the fairgrounds, South Custer Road (M-50) and Raisinville Road. The ceremony will honor cancer survivors and the history of the relay that began in 1993. Willie Lass and Pastor Aaron Werner will co-host the event.

Admission to the relay is free.

During the ceremony, survivors of cancer will be recognized. Visitors will have an opportunity to cheer for local survivors or participate as a survivor in the first lap of the day around the track. Caregivers of cancer patients (currently or previously diagnosed) will be invited to join survivors in the lap. The survivors will then be treated to a free luncheon inside the First Merchants Bank & Trust Expo Center, said Kristen Pilon, senior development manager for the American Cancer Society.

"We celebrate our survivors, remember those we have lost and fight back as a community to end cancer," Pilon said.

In the past 30 years, the relay has celebrated over 6,800 survivors, honored an estimated 120,000 lives through luminaria and raised more than $6 million, she said.

"Monroe County relayers have helped to save countless lives from the pain and suffering caused by cancer," she said in an email. "Also, countless people won't hear the words 'you have cancer,' and one day, when cancer is eliminated, this community will be the reason the trajectory of cancer changed!"

About 20 teams will take part in the relay, during which community members will take turns walking around a track lined with luminaria bags.

The reception for all current and past relayers will begin at 5 p.m. at the Virus Robotics Campsite, Site No. 1 near the fair history museum. There will be light refreshments and time to reminisce with other relayers. Anyone can come to the reception and no reservations are needed, Pilon said.

Games and food will be offered throughout the day. Numerous other activities are planned, including the following:

Car Show: Noon-3 p.m. near the Expo Center.

Silent auction, vendor show and scavenger hunt: Noon-6 p.m. The auction will feature more than 100 items for sale.

Live music: Noon-6:30 p.m.

Food truck rally: Noon-7 p.m.

Luminaria ceremony: 9 p.m.

5K Glow Run and Youth Fun Run: 10:30 p.m.

Visitors, supporters and survivors are invited to stay for the traditional luminaria ceremony that begins at 9. When it gets dark, teams will light the luminaria bags surrounding the track in memory of loved ones and friends who have died or are currently battling cancer.

Relay For Life is the world's largest volunteer-based fundraising event that benefits research by the American Cancer Society.

"For more than 30 years, communities across the world have come together to honor and remember loved ones and take action for life-saving change," Pilon said. "There will be opportunities to fundraise and fight back. We strive to make this event as safe as possible and will follow local COVID-related guidelines."

For more information, visit RelayForLife.org/MonroeCountyMI or facebook.com/MonroeRelay/ or contact Pilon at [email protected] or 734-624-0571.