For 24 hours this weekend, Oxford will be focused on two things ? celebrating life and defeating a killer named cancer.
From 10 a.m. Saturday, June 3 through 10 a.m. Sunday, June 4, hundreds will walk, jog and run laps around the quarter-mile track at Oxford High School as the community hosts the second annual Relay for Life.
As the American Cancer Society’s signature event, the relay is designed to raise funds to help the organization fight this dreaded disease through research, education and heightened public awareness.
Last year’s Relay for Life in Oxford raised nearly $65,000.
‘Our goal this year is about $78,000,? said Melissa Flanagan, chairperson of the relay’s planning committee and a teacher at Clear Lake Elementary.
Seventeen teams will be participating in this year’s relay, all of them camped out on the football field.
‘Family teams, business teams and all of the schools are represented,? Flanagan said.
Each team is required to have a representative walking on the track at all times ? a reminder that cancer never sleeps.
‘At this point, we’re not sure how many walkers? there are in total, but ‘most of the teams are much larger this year,? according to Flanagan.
Although the teams will walk hundreds of laps around the track during the 24-hour period, three laps will have extra special meaning and significance.
The very first lap during the relay’s opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. Saturday will be dedicated to the late Lonnie Esckelson’s memory.
A member and past commander of Oxford American Legion Post 108, the 57-year-old Esckelson passed away on May 14, 2005 after having proudly marched as a member of the Color Guard during the opening ceremonies for last year’s Relay for Life.
‘The opening lap of the entire relay this year will be dedicated to him,? Flanagan said.
A special lap for cancer survivors will take place around 1 p.m. Saturday during the ‘Survivor Victory Ceremony.?
Normally, you’re considered a survivor if you’ve been cancer-free for at least five years, but for the purposes of the relay, a survivor is redefined as anyone who’s lived one day with cancer.
A silent lap will take place around 9:45 p.m. Saturday during the luminaria celebration.
Candle lit white bags decorated with names, photos and colorful drawings will line the track as tributes to people who have lost their battle with cancer, those still fighting and those who have survived.
Relay participants will walk a lap in ‘total silence,? reading the names, seeing the faces and reflectng on why they’re there.
Prior to the luminaria celebration, the word HOPE, spelled out in giant capital letters, will light up the bleachers as hundreds of empty milk jugs containing candles are lit.
But don’t think the Relay for Life is all walking in a circle for 24 hours. ‘We have lots of wonderful entertainment this year,? Flanagan.
Young dancers from Center Stage Dance Company, Cutting Edge Dance & Pilates, and Orion Oxford Dance Arts will show off their moves between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday.
Fumbleina the Clown will keep the kiddies happy from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday while local a capella sensation elmo THUMM is set to take the stage from 8 to 9:30 p.m.
A box car derby, American Idol inspired competition and ‘Mr. Relay? contest will offer relay participants the chance to have some fun and win prizes.
Flanagan described the Mr. Relay contest as ‘gentlemen from each team dressing up in their fanciest ladies? duds.?
‘That’s always great fun,? she said.
‘A moon walk, children’s games and lots of good food? will add to the event’s celebration of life, according to Flanagan.
‘There’s a lot of enthusiasm,? she said. ‘I think it’s going to be even bigger and better than last year.
For more information about Oxford’s Relay for Life contact Cheryl Donohue, of the American Cancer Society, at (248) 483-4351.