The kickoff event for the 2013 Relay for Life of Franklin County will be held Monday, Feb. 18, at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes.
This year, Wendy Wildberger will serve as the chairperson and Karla Frank will be co-chair. In 2012, Frank was chair and Wildberger was co-chair.
The event is an open invitation to all team captains or anyone wanting to learn more about Relay, including survivors and caregivers, Wildberger said.
Organizers are encouraging both teams and survivors to register online at www.relayforlife.org/franklinmo.
There is a $10 registration fee per participant. The American Cancer Society, which benefits from Relay events nationwide, has set a goal for each participant to raise $100. Survivors are free.
Participants in the countywide event will receive a T-shirt if they raise $100. Other prizes will be given for different amounts raised.
The 2013 Relay will take place from 6 p.m. Friday, June 7, to 6 a.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Washington Fairgrounds.
This year’s theme is “Surviving More Holidays.”
Teams will be able to decorate their campsites or booths at the fairgrounds on various holidays.
Wildberger said the goal is to have 47 teams and 205 survivors for the Relay. Last year, there were 42 teams and 199 survivors.
The fund-raising goal, set by the American Cancer Society, is $128,000.
The Hero of Hope for the 2013 Relay will be announced at the meeting. American Cancer Society representative, Tracy Skinner, also will be available to answer questions.
Luminaria bags, which will be placed around the fairgrounds the night of Relay to honor cancer survivors and those who passed away from cancer, will cost $5 each this year. They can be purchased at www.relayforlife.org/franklinmo or by calling Wildberger, 636-297-1000 .
Like last year, participants can subscribe to a text message notification system to keep updated about upcoming Relay meetings and events occurring the night of the relay.
People can sign up by sending this text message “4935” to this number “22723.” Standard text messaging rates apply.
For more information, people may call Wildberger or email relayfranklinmo@yahoo.com
