Local Relay readies for new event

Pike County’s Relay for Life event will be quite a bit different this year, but organizers hope it will still show the community’s support for those fighting cancer, those who have survived cancer and also those who helped them along the way. This year’s theme is ‘AARRRGH You Ready for A Cure?’ and the local event will be held during the spring football game Friday, May 19. ’In lieu of having an all-night event around the track, we are working to keep the integrity of the event and still honor our survivors,’ said Relay organizer Lisa McGurl. ‘Members of the community can join forces as teams to collect funds that will go toward cancer research and support programs through the American Cancer Society.’Survivors to be honored and fundraising teams can register by filling out the registration forms at the primary school front desk, calling 877-957-7848 or going to relayforlife.org/spaldingga. Due to financial restructuring, Pike’s event must now be registered under the Spalding County umbrella. Organizers are hoping to reverse that decision and make the local Relay for Life more viable for the county. Christ Chapel will host the annual Survivor’s Dinner at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 at the Christ Chapel Student Center on Highway 19 south. Fundraisers will continue to be held up to and during the spring football game and Relay event. Cancer survivors and team members will go through the stands with buckets to collect donations for cancer research. Survivors will be honored on the field during half time as they wear their survivor t-shirts. ’We will honor each survivor on the field by name and then present the group of survivors with a big check that’s a close estimate of what Pike County will be donating to Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society,’ said McGurl. ‘We are asking all the fans to wear purple as they show their support. We’d love for everyone to get behind this great cause.’ May 5 is the deadline to register survivors or teams for the event. To register, fill out a registration form at the primary school front office, call 877-957-7848 or go to relayforlife.org/spaldingga. For more information, call Betsy Burford at 770-567-8443, extension 5008.