Bay, Westlake Relay For Life events raise nearly $100,000 for cancer

Relay For Life events over the past two weekends have raised nearly $100,000 in Bay Village and Westlake to fight cancer. Bay Village American Cancer Society (ACS) Staff Partner Heidi Lang called the response to the annual Cancer fundraiser “overwhelming.”

“Just the outpouring of participation and the number of people who came out made it an emotional experience,” she added.  

Lang said that Westlake’s 18-hour event, held May 21 and 22 at Westlake High School’s running track drew 30 teams and raised over $30,000, led by donations raised by the Price-Waterhouse Cooper team, which led with close to $8,000.
Bay Village ACS Staff Partner Katie Crea announced that 30 Bay Village Relay teams had raised over $60,000 during their own 18-hour event on May 28-29. In a companion event for pets held May 15, Bay Bark for Life, dog owners generated over $5,000 while strolling with their pets.
 
In both cities, the spectacle began with a Cancer Survivor’s lap. In Westlake, 86 survivors and caregivers were treated to dinner provided by Buca di Beppo. In Bay Village, Chik-Fil-A restaurants played host as 75 survivors marched and ate. Westlake Program Committee Chair Rick Grane said he was grateful for the outpouring, adding, “The teams worked so hard to raise the money, and we are especially grateful to the families, friends and sponsors who participated in the ACS event.”
 
The high emotional point of each Relay For Life comes after sundown, when participants and survivors march around a darkened and luminaria-lined track holding lights, behind the solemn slow lament of a bagpiper.
 
Relay For Life events are held in communities around the country. At each Relay, people take turns walking or running around a track and path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times. They raise money by securing pledges from local contributors and businesses in return for their promise to keep a team on the field for the entire time-span of the Relay. Additional funds are raised as families of victims and survivors purchase and decorate the candle-illuminated luminaria bags.

Tom Johnson lives in Bay Village.