On April 28 & 29, the Columbus community will participant in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Muscogee County, themed “Once Upon a Cure” at AJ McClung Memorial Stadium (South Commons).

Participants have been fundraising for almost a year, with the Relay For Life being a culmination of fundraising and celebrating LIFE. And, this event is planned by volunteers giving of their time and talents to make the event special for the community.

Relay For Life is not a walk or run, but rather a celebration, tailgate, festival, family-oriented atmosphere, (we do encourage people to walk the track throughout the night). Teams of a minimum of 5 people will have campsites set up, not only for their teams, but for the public to join us in continuing our fundraising efforts. While this event is FUN, is it definitely a FUNraiser, so we will be asking for donations throughout the event. (And yes – all team are set-up to take credit cards)

The opening ceremony will begin at 7:00pm on Friday evening and will continue throughout the night, with the closing ceremony at 9:00am on Saturday morning. During the opening ceremony, CANCER SURVIVORS are asked to take the emotional “survivor lap”, giving participants and the public the opportunity to cheer them on. Some are newly diagnosed – and others have been on the other side of their journey for years. Immediately following the survivor lap will be the CAREGIVER lap. Caregivers are the unsung heros – and we want to give them an opportunity to be thanked by their loved ones.

The Luminaria Ceremony will begin at 9:30pm – all lights at the stadium will go out, only candles in memory/honor of loved ones, illuminating the track. During the ceremony, a bagpiper will lead the way for all participants to walk a silent lap in solidarity of HOPE in finding a CURE against cancer.

This event is overnight, symbolizing the struggle of a cancer survivor getting tired and weary through the dark periods of treatment, then seeing the light of dawn at the end of treatment, just as Relayers will see the sunrise on Saturday morning. Therefore, activities and entertainment will continue throughout the night and into the morning, to include: Ricky Gunn, the “Misster” Relay Pageant, Springer Theatre Academy (in memory of Ron Anderson), Columbus High Drumline and much more.

Some of the campsites will be asking for donations for: face painting, fried fish baskets, gourmet grilled cheese, photo booth, walking tacos, climbing wall and MUCH MORE.

Saturday morning at 8:00am, we will close out the event with a 5K along the Riverwalk, finishing at the stage of the Relay For Life event, inside Memorial Stadium.