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Cancer survivors and family walk a lap July 12, 2013, at the beginning of the Relay for Life at the Havre High School track. Relay for Life events start noon Saturday with registration at 10 a.m.
The American Cancer Society of the Hi-Line will hold its North Central Montana Relay For Life at Havre High School Saturday, an annual event to raise awareness of and money for cancer research and help for families of people with cancer.
Unlike years past, where the relay walk would start at noon and last until 5:30 the next morning, the walk will end at midnight. Reba Domire, a lead organizer of the event, said the ending time was changed due to low attendance during the 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. hours.
"We figured if we did it from noon to midnight, we would get more people and not have to worry about that whole overnight thing," Domire said.
The actual relay, which is the centerpiece of the day's activities, begins with people either signing up to participate individually or registering with teams whose members will take turns walking the high school track.
Other events, which will take place while the main relay walk is going on, will include a $5-a-plate barbeque dinner that is free for survivors and their caregivers. There will be a silent auction and raffle that will end at 9 p.m. The amount of money raised will be disclosed at the end of the night.
But the relay seeks to be more than a fundraiser. It's a celebration of the life and resilience of those battling cancer.
In that spirit, a slate of people who are or have battled cancer will speak about their struggles with the disease. There will be a 'Survivor Lap,' where only survivors and their caretakers will take a lap. Everyone else will encircle the track and cheer on the walkers, an arrangement meant to show that people are with those who battle cancer every step of the way'.
In a change of pace from years past, participants will release butterflies rather than balloons. The festivities will than conclude with a so-called "luminary ceremony" where lit candles are placed in bags decorated by family and friends which are placed around the track, burning throughout the night as a tribute to those who have passed away.
Domire said that she hopes those with cancer come away feeling support and encouragement in their struggle with this disease.
"We want them to know that they are not alone," Domire said. "That someone is always here for them."
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