Community Corner
Relay For Life Returns to Plainfield for 15th Year
American Cancer Society fundraiser celebrates survivors, works toward finding a cure.
Over the last 15 years, they’ve walked for a cure — and raised more than $1.7 million in the process. On Saturday, June 22, organizers will bring the Relay For Life back to Plainfield North High School, 12005 S. 248th Ave.
The relay is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event will kick off with an opening ceremony at 2 p.m., followed by special laps for survivors and caregivers before teams hit the track for the all-day, all-night relay.
“We celebrate survivors,” Relay committee chairperson Stacey Stofko said. “They don’t even have to participate in the relay event — they can just come for the survivors’ lap.”
Kevin McMaster, income development representative for the American Cancer Society, said this year’s Relay will include fun laps and kids’ activities, along with a DJ, live bands, vendors and a live remote from radio station 104.3 K-HITS Chicago.
“We really try to make it known as a community event,” McMaster said. “For someone who hasn’t experienced it before, I like to say it’s like a carnival minus the rides,” he added with a laugh.
As always, a highlight of the event will be a luminaria ceremony honoring survivors and those who have lost their cancer battles. Teams and participants can purchase $10 luminaria, which will be illuminated at the ceremony at 9 p.m., McMaster said.
To dedicate a luminaria, visit the event website.
Get involved
So far, 35 teams and more than 250 participants have registered for the Relay For Life of Plainfield, and have already raised more than $35,000 toward the event’s $127,000 goal.
Even though the event is a little more than a month away, it’s not too late to sign up.
“It’s definitely not too late,” McMaster said. “Now is the time when a lot of people are getting engaged (in Relay), so it’s the perfect time to get involved. Teams and participants can sign up on the Relay For Life of Plainfield website. While there is a $10 registration fee, McMaster said it goes directly toward each participant’s fundraising totals.
“It’s like your making a donation to yourself, because it kicks off your fundraising,” he said. There is no minimum fundraising requirement, although the American Cancer Society urges participants to strive to hit at least $100. That’s the fundraising level that qualifies participants for a Relay event T-shirt, McMaster said.
This year’s Relay For Life of Plainfield is presented by event sponsor Edward Hospital, but organizers are still looking for corporate and local sponsors.
For more information on the Relay For Life of Plainfield, to start a team or make a donation, visit the event website. You can also stay up to date on upcoming Relay-related events and fundraisers on the Relay For Life of Plainfield Facebook page.
To sign up for the survivors’ lap, become a sponsor or learn more about purchasing luminaria, contact event co-chairs Janeen Barloga at 815-212-5662 or jbarloga@sbcglobal.net or Jennifer Freeman at 815-405-3773 or jfreeman0901@gmail.com.
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