By Amy Joles (Contact / Staff Bio)
September 9, 2009 - 09:51 a.m. EST

CARO — More than 30 teams are ready to round the track at the Tuscola County Fairgrounds this weekend.

The annual Relay for Life of Tuscola County will kick off at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept 12. The 24-hour fund-raising event will attempt to raise over $156,000 for the American Cancer Society before coming to a close at 10 a.m. Sunday.

“There will be something going on all the time,” said Gloria Snyder, a team captain and public relations chair for the local relay.

The theme of this year’s Relay is “Happy Birthday.” Teams will decorate their campsites and plan their events around this theme.

So far, Relay teams are meeting the challenge.

“We’re on track to beat the goal,” said Snyder. “I know we’ll raise more.”

Each year, Relay for Life takes place at the Tuscola County Fairgrounds in Caro. Hundreds of volunteers make the event possible - rain or shine. The relay is highlighted by several key events each year, including a survivor’s lap, caretakers lap (5-5:30 p.m.) and a special luminary ceremony in which candles are lit for survivors or those battling cancer.

Last year, over 2,000 candles were lit for the luminary ceremony, which lined the rain-soaked track and were eventually moved inside. The candles will be lit at 8 p.m. this year.

“We’re supposed to have rain this year, too,” said Snyder. “I hope not!”

At the 2008 relay, 137 cancer survivors and caretakers were recognized at the Tuscola County event. A total of 37 teams raised $156,000, which was $11,000 over the projected goal.

Last year’s funds helped 82 children attend a cancer survivors camp. The funds also went toward 103 scholarships for cancer survivors, six of which were local individuals.

Additionally, funds raised at Relay paid for trips to treatment centers for 30 people and assisted 19 breast cancer patients with finding volunteers to assist them with recovery.

“This year, we’ll also be able to start a new program - the Look Good, Feel Better Program at Caro Community Hospital,” said Snyder.

The program assists female cancer patients who are undergoing cancer treatments.

During Relay, a variety of teams have fund-raisers, selling items, food and beverages to raise additional money for the American Cancer Society. Special laps and events also keep the Relay lively, such as a casino lap, mini-wagon parade, celebrity look-alike contest and live bands on stage. Additionally, an auction on Saturday evening has a host of items up for grabs.

For more information, call Gloria Snyder at (989) 673-1329.

Amy Joles is the editor of the Tuscola County Advertiser. She can be reached at joles@tcadvertiser.com.