Clarkston’s Relay for Life is expanded and better than ever ? not to mention ready to kick off their sixth year of raising cancer awareness.
For the first time ever, Clarkston Relay for Life is teaming with Waterford Relay for Life to hold a joint event at Pierce Middle School this Saturday from 10 a.m. – dusk. Last year the fund-raiser collected around $180,000.
‘We’re in Waterford this year because of the construction going on at Clarkston Schools,? said Jo Vaara, a volunteer and facilitator for Clarkston Area Breast Cancer Support Group. ‘This is Waterford’s first time holding the event.?
The big day kicks off on July 23 at 10 a.m. with the opening ceremonies and survivors walk. Vaara, a 16 year survivor of breast cancer herself, said the walk is one of her favorite activities.
‘It’s very moving. It’s so quiet and thoughtful,? she said. ‘It’s just really quite an event.?
The opening ceremonies also include the raising of the American Flag, singing of the National Anthem and a poem by Gwen Clark.
Directly following the opening, 11-year-old Kelsey Anderson will give the highlight performance of the day.
Kelsey will sing ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow? and tell the story of her family’s breast cancer survival. Kelsey is a sixth grader at Pioneer Middle School in Plymouth.
Kelsey’s story begins with her mother, Susan Anderson, a seven year survivor of breast cancer. The story expands with Kelsey’s grandmother, Ruby Richards, also a breast cancer survivor.
In fact, Kelsey’s family has three generations of breast cancer survivors since her great-grandmother was also affected by the disease.
‘Kelsey has walked every year, she is very dedicated,? said mom Susan. ‘She’s doing this because her Nana asked her to.?
Richards is friends with Sallie Franks, one of the organizers for the Relay. She recently saw Kelsey prepare and perform as Dorothy in ‘The Wizard of Oz? and wanted to share her granddaughter’s talents.
‘Kelsey is amazing. She is fearless and has a beautiful voice for her age,? said Susan. ‘Kelsey is just a delightful child. She just has a confidence about her.
‘Every time I walk in an event, I dedicate it to her.?
Other performances for the day include Irish dancers, a barbershop chorus, Elvis Kelly and a 10 p.m. poem reading. Just some of the many contests throughout the day are a 3-legged race, water balloon toss, volleyball contest, hula hoop contest and costume contest.
To close the opening day, the luminary lighting will take place at dusk, around 9:30 p.m. Luminaries are $10 a piece and can be dedicated ‘In honor of?? or ‘In memory of??
For those walking the final laps late into the night, ‘themed? laps are scheduled: the pajama lap at 11 p.m., the poker lap at 2 a.m., the Hawaiian lap at 3 a.m. and the favorite coffee mug lap at 4 a.m.
Teams participating in the Relay are asked to put together two baskets to be raffled off during the day. Each team receives the money from their baskets to add to their donation at the end of the relay.
‘All of the money earned at the relay stays in the Great Lakes area,? said Vaara. ‘That’s what makes this so special. The money stays here at home.?
To purchase a luminary, please go online at www.acsevents.org/relay/miclarkston.
For more information on the schedule or to sign up a team, please register with Michelle Fallscheer at 248-483-4308. Teams will also be accepted for registration the day of the event.