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By Jed Blackwell
Editor
Landrum High School is once again hosting the Relay For Life of North Spartanburg on Friday, May 1.
According to organizer Julie Settle, the event is growing, with the largest-ever number of teams participating.
“Our goal this year was 25 teams, and we’ve got 26,” Settle said. The event is growing really quickly.
The purpose of the event is to recognize those fighting cancer, remember those lost to the disease, and support friends and loved ones who come out to walk in honor and memory of those close to them touched by cancer.
The opening ceremony will begin at 7:00 PM. Josh Caldwell, a former District One student who currently attends North Greenville University, will be the featured survivor speaker. Following the Survivor, Caregiver and Team laps we will have the North Spartanburg’s Got Talent show. Many of the schools and First Baptist Church of Landrum’s children’s choir will be performing.
Teams will be selling food items, craft items and Relay For Life items. The Silent Auction will feature a wide variety of items from student-created artwork to hand crafted items. All funds will go directly towards the American Cancer Society.
Settle said that community support for the event was overwhelming.
“We’ve had so many corporate sponsors that it’s just incredible,” she said. The planning committee has been great - Kelly Wright, Jennifer Johnson, Kimberly Arthur, Debbie Ballew, Jennifer Settle, Renee Pierce, and Keith Maxwell have been amazing.”
Settle also gave credit to District One, which is routinely among the top districts in the state for Relay for Life participation.
“We have 100 percent school participation, and the District Office has a team,” she explained. “Schools are the heart of our Relay. There’s not a shool that hasn’t been touched in some way, by a student, a staff member, or a family member with cancer.”
The event will begin with a Survivor’s Dinner at 5:30 p.m. Opening ceremonies are at 7 p.m., and a special Luminary Ceremony will be held at 9 p.m. The Luminary Ceremony features a candelight walk in memory of cancer victims.Each year the silent lap is lead by the “Torch of Hope”. Jennifer Coleman Fortner with her family and friends will carry the Torch of Hope. Jennifer is currently battling cancer.
The feature entertainment of the evening will be a concert by Jeff Perry and Friends. Jeff sings and plays acoustic guitars.
Events will continue throughout the night. Each team’s goal is to have at least one person walking on the track all night long.
The team with the highest percentage of participants staying the night will be honored with the “Purple Luminary” award. This is a bragging rights award that the teams are in stiff competition to achieve.
Settle encourages everyone to attend the event, even if not part of a team.
“If your family has been touched by cancer and you have never attended a Relay For Life event you are missing out on a moving, yet enjoyable experience,” she said. “Come and join in the festivities and help us to celebrate 25 years of hope.”
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