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Relay For Life of Blair announces 24-hour event

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Courtesy photo Committee members of the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Central Blair are (from left): front row –– Kris Young, Sharon O’Keiff-Fusco (ACS staff), Connie McKnight, Don Boland and Marilyn Templon; back row –– Dan Weaver, Sue Boland (event co-chair), Liz Curman and Don Gallice. Absent from the photo are Deborah Osborn (co-chair), Catherine Igou, Sandy Long, Juanita McLucas, Cathy Horvers, Autumn McLucas, Val Bates, Kathy Kelly and Tom Baker.

On Friday, June 9, and Saturday June 10, Relay For Life of Central Blair will host its annual Relay For Life community event. The 24-hour event will celebrate those touched by cancer, remember loved ones lost and take action for lifesaving change.

Event organizers are inviting the community to attend any portion of the 24-hour event, which is scheduled to take place at Mansion Park, 3503 Oak Lane, Altoona. The event will kick off at 11 a.m. Friday, June 9, and conclude at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 10.

Several special activities will occur throughout the 24-hour event including a Survivor Dinner sponsored by Olive Garden is scheduled for 5 to 6:30 p.m. Friday, June 9. The American Cancer Society recognizes an individual as a cancer survivor the moment they receive their cancer diagnosis. Survivors are encouraged to pre-register for the event. To register, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.relayforlife.org/pablair. Registered survivors will receive further information in a detailed invitation which will be mailed. Event organizers stress that anyone who has ever heard "you have cancer" -- regardless of treatment or non-treatment status -- is invited to attend to be recognized as a survivor.

Beginning evening ceremonies begin at 7 p.m. Friday, June 9, and the luminaria ceremony will occur at 9 p.m. Luminaria bags will be transformed and illuminated. Each luminaria is personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing in memory or honor of an individual who has been affected by cancer.

Children's activities and music will occur throughout the event and a breakfast being supplied by Hoss's/Marzoni's will take place Saturday morning for all registered participants. Event sponsors include: Element Solutions Foundation, MacDermid/Alpha Solutions, M&T Bank, UPMC Hillman Cancer Center, Sheetz, Park Home, ARC Federal Credit Union, Catholic War Vetereans Post 1691 and Seven Mountains Media.

The Relay For Life movement continues to be the largest peer-to-peer fundraising event with 2.5 million participants globally uniting to save lives from cancer.

Even when facing the challenges of COVID-19, Relayers have found a way to fundraise for a future free from cancer. Funds raised through Relay For Life directly support breakthrough research, 24/7 support for cancer patients, access to lifesaving screenings and much more.

There are now more ways than ever for anyone, anywhere, to join the Relay community. To learn more, contact Sharon O-Keiff-Fusco at 814-215-8063 or Sharon.okeiff-fusco@cancer.org.

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