While the Clarkston Relay for Life is a 24-hour event, it is a year-round project for Springfield Township resident Sharon Worden.
This will be the fifth time the cancer survivor will participate in the event which raises money for the American Cancer Society. For the second consecutive year, Worden will lead her own team called ‘Helping Hands, Helpful Hearts.?
Last year her team of 10 individuals raised $16,000 and are looking to exceed that this year.
‘We have team member from 16 years old to 60 years old and everything in between,? Worden said. ‘We raised a lot of money for a first year team last year.?
For Worden’s team, planning for Relay is a year-round event.
‘Our team definitely thinks about what we can do for the relay all year. We get together and just brainstorm how to go about things, how to raise money or how to get more people,? Worden said. ‘But you can put as much time as you want to into it. You can devote a couple of hours a week to it or you can let it consume you. I am just about consumed.?
Worden says her enthusiasm is contagious when she talks to people about the relay.
‘If you are excited about it then they will get excited about it. I am not real pushy when I try to get people to join but if they ask me some questions I will talk their ear off. People are always willing to help,? Worden said.
Worden was first introduced to the Relay for Life by sister-in-law Jerri Fancher. She had a team called ‘Hopetown, USA? and was looking for new team members.
It did not take long before Worden was on board. Although she is a 26-year survivor of the disease, that was not the reason why she decided to join.
‘I lost my mother to cancer so that was the real reason,? Worden said. ‘My cancer was so long ago and thankfully I didn’t have to go through chemotherapy or anything like that. But whenever you hear the word ‘cancer? you get scared. I was lucky my husband David was a brick for me and helped a lot.?
This is the fifth year the Relay for Life will be done in Clarkston. Last year they had 27 teams participate and raised $158,000. Their goal this year is to have 40 teams and they currently have 33.
‘We are almost there,? Community Development Director for the American Cancer Society Jennifer Schulte said. ‘This has grown every year. It has been a real success in Clarkston.?
Each team has at least one of their members walking at all times. Team members raise money by soliciting donations, and also by holding fundraisers.
‘All the money raised goes to cancer research, education or service for patients,? Schulte said. ‘We hope everybody who walks can raise at least $100 but obviously we don’t turn anybody away. Everybody is welcome to get involved. We have family, friends, co-workers participating in the event.?
Worden said her knowledge of the ACS made her want to participate.
‘They are a great supportive group. They are warm and wonderful people. Most of the money goes to research which we need. I know there is a cure out there it just takes money and time to find it,? Worden said.
The event starts with a ‘Survivor’s Walk? where just survivors of the disease take one turn around the track while caregivers and well-wishers cheer them.
‘You need to grab your tissues and your walking shoes for the Survivor Walk,? Worden said. ‘This disease affects so many people. Everybody knows somebody who has been affected by this disease and most the time it is more than one. We have three survivors on the team.?
Another highlight of the event is the luminaries. A $10 donation per luminary allows the purchaser to put a name of someone in memory or in honor of on the bag. Once evening arrives, the luminaries get lit as individuals take a silent walk around the track.
The relay also has continuous entertainment. DJ’s bands, dancer and clowns are all there to entertain the walkers and keep them going.
‘It is definitely an all day event and we have fun all day. People bring food, signs and everything else they can think of,? Worden said.
The 18-year Springfield Township resident is pleased with how the Clarkston Relay for Life has grown over the years.
‘It is not as big as it can be but we are doing well,? Worden said. ‘As it grows teams split and the number of teams goes up. It is just a great experience. I have met so many wonderful people through this event.?
The event is scheduled for Clarkston Middle School June 24-25. Anyone interested in signing up for the event can call Schulte at (248) 483-4304 or e-mail her at jennifer.schulte@cancer.org.