Poolesville Relay for Life is Saturday

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Poolesville Relay for Life is Saturday

by Meghan Tierney | Staff Writer

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Upcounty residents will rally against cancer Saturday at Poolesville's 3rd annual Relay for Life benefitting the American Cancer Society.

The event begins with a survivor's luncheon for cancer survivors and their friends and family 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the athletic field at Poolesville High School, followed by an opening ceremony at 2 p.m.

There will be activities, games, music and demonstrations throughout the day, which culminates with a Luminaria Ceremony at dusk in honor of those who died from cancer. A final ceremony and award presentation will be at 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Food and drinks will be available for purchase, and some activities may cost money.

This year's honorary co-chairmen are Eric Hansen, a longtime Relay volunteer who was diagnosed with breast cancer a week before last year's event, and Bobby Dietz, who was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor shortly after his birth in 1998 but has been cancer-free since 2001.

Last year's event raised $154,000 for cancer research, and nearly $90,000 had been donated to the 2008 Relay as of Thursday afternoon, according to the event's Web site.

The event will take place at Poolesville High School, 17501 W. Willard Road.

For more information or to donate, visit www.poolesvillerelay.org.