Leavenworth County’s annual Relay for Life is scheduled to begin Friday evening. And it won’t stop until the next morning.
Jennifer Gum, chairwoman of the event for the last two years, said the 12-hour walk is scheduled to begin with a survivors’ dinner at 5:30 p.m. and an opening ceremony at 6:45 p.m. Friday at Abeles Field in Leavenworth.
Gum she welcomed anyone — from spectators to teams and survivors who wish to attend the survivors’ dinner — to attend, even if they had not signed up ahead of time.
The actual relay will begin at 7 p.m. Gum said more than 50 teams are expected to participate, having at least one member walking the track at all times before the relay’s closing ceremony at 6:30 a.m. the next morning.
In between those two times, Gum said there will be a luminary ceremony at 10 p.m. and music and entertainment throughout the night.
She said the event raises money for the American Cancer Society that is used both to fund cancer research and locally to provide support groups, financial help to purchase necessary medicine and transportation to treatments for those who need it.
“The money raised here stays here,” Gum said.
Last year, about 1,500 people showed up and the event, which had a goal of $67,000, raised $90,000. This year, Gum said she anticipates as many as 2,000 people come through the gates at Abeles Field over the course of the night.
The teams include both those from Leavenworth County and from outside cities like Weston, Mo. Gum said though many teams have already registered and have been fundraising, it is not unheard of for teams to sign up the night of the relay.
It’s not a problem, Gum said — fundraising will continue until September. Gum said she can be contacted for the event at 913-449-1412.
