Teams Furiously Work to Raise Funds as Relays for Life Approach

With four American Cancer Society Relays for Life scheduled for next weekend, participating teams are hosting car washes, yard sales, bunco nights and knocking on neighbors' doors to raise money for the event.

All proceeds from the relays benefit the cancer society.

Relays for Life are scheduled for March 25-26 at East Bay High School, Bloomingdale High School, Newsome High School and Riverview High School.

The American Cancer Society Relay for Life is an event that gives everyone in communities across the globe a chance to celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.

Prior to the relay, teams of participants raise money for the American Cancer Society in various fundraisers.

At the relay, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have representation on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, relays are overnight events from 18 to 24 hours in length.

Although every relay is different, there are certain traditions at all relays, no matter where they are. These traditions help participants celebrate, remember and fight back. Relays begin with a survivors lap where survivors of cancer are invited to circle the track together and let everyone celebrate the victories they've achieved over cancer.

After dark, participants honor people who have been touched by cancer and remember loved ones lost to the disease in a luminaria ceremony. Candles are lit inside bags filled with sand, each one bearing the name of a person touched by cancer, and participants often walk a lap in silence.

In addition, there are fundraising activities during the relay including the sale of food, face painters, crafts and games.  Relay teams have plenty of way for participants and visitors to the event to support the fight against cancer.

Residents are invited to form their own teams or donate to a team or specific relay online.

The Southshore Relay for Life will take place March 26 starting at noon at East Bay High School, 7710 Old Big Bend Road, Gibsonton. So far, there are 36 teams and 592 participants raising $41,156.

 Top fund-raising teams so far are the Riverside Club with $12,316; Rena Rose Rocks! with $5,698; and Summerfield Elementary with $5,546. Top participants are Howard Swanson with $1,860; Allison Martinez with $1,605; and William Brown with $960.

The Bloomingdale Relay for Life is set for March 25 starting at 6 p.m. at Bloomingdale High School, 1700 Bloomingdale Ave., Valrico. There are 49 teams 585 participants who have raised $42,807.

Top fundraising teams are Cimino Elementary School with $10,087; Cougar Cats with $6,677; and Quest for a Cure with $5,140. Top participants are Amanda Renner with $5,000; Michele Buch with 1,074; and Amy Weinstein with $811.

The Riverview Relay for Life takes place at Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Road, Riverview, March 26 at 2 p.m. There are 55 teams and 830 participants. Teams have raised $69,321.

Top fundraising teams are The Osprey Observer with $9,485; Summerfield Crossings Cougars for a Cure with $7,515; and Bob's Angels with $7305. Top participants are Suzy Wiesenhart with $4,685; Melanie Richie with $2,899; and Jennifer Northrop with $2,675.

The FishHawk Relay for Life takes place March 25 at 6 p.m. at Newsome High School, 16550 Fishhawk Blvd., Lithia, with 33 teams and 740 people participating, raising $64,319.

Top fundraising teams are the MOMS Club of Lithia/Bevis with $9,747; Bevis Elementary School with $8,390; and the Class of 2012 with $7,474. Top participants are Hayden Harvey with $3,150; Leigh Montgomery with $1,860; and Alexa Van Bornei with $1,800.

For information, visit http://relay.acsevents.org/.