NEWBERRY — It’s time once again to honor and remember those who have lost the fight against cancer and those who have overcome the fight at this year’s Relay for Life on May 13 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Newberry College.
“Last year, Newberry High School remodeled their football field, so we had to relocate. Newberry College was gracious enough to let us have the event there and last year was the first time we held it at Newberry College. It was just a lot easier for everybody at the college,” said Lisa Bishop, Relay for Life coordinator and cancer survivor.
Jennifer Moates also coordinates alongside Bishop and is also a cancer survivor.
The Survivor Walk, which will take place at the Newberry College fountain, will begin at 4 p.m. and will close the relay for the luminary ceremony between 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
“We have a lot of veteran teams participating. There are about 34 teams, but we don’t have a final head count yet. We’ll have a meeting to determine who will be setting up a tent that night,” said Bishop.
There will also be bounce houses and games for children to participate in during the event.
Bishop said attendees can also still make luminaries for a loved one the night of the event.
“We’ve sold so many luminaries now, but we’ll have luminaries there that if people want to buy, they can. The teams that purchase the luminaries, they design them themselves,” said Bishop. “We’re honoring all of the survivors and their caregivers. When you are diagnosed with cancer, that day that you’re diagnosed you automatically become a survivor.”
Relay for Life not only honors the survivors and caregivers, but also gives hope to those newly diagnosed with cancer.
“All of these people that are newly diagnosed come down to our relay and they see this mass of people that have survived and it gives them hope. Hope is the biggest word. We strive to make sure that everybody knows that there is that hope out there,” said Bishop. “We are both cancer survivors and the first time that we walked, it was amazing to look behind you and see all of these people that survived and it gives you hope.”
“I get to walk with my best friend and my father and I hope to do that again next year,” said Moates.
Bishop said the goal is to raise $100,000, saying that they are currently around $35,000.
“The goal is a good goal, but if we don’t make the goal, we’re not stopping,” said Moates.
Anyone who wants to donate or wants to register a team can go to www.relayforlife.org/newberrysc.