Events and Activities : 2024 BENTON COUNTY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE

Relay For Life is more than just a fundraising walk. It is a global movement that celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers, honors loved ones, and helps fund the future of cancer research and care. Money raised from Relay directly supports members of our community by funding breakthrough research, 24/7 support for people with cancer, access to lifesaving screenings, and much more.

The American Cancer Society has helped make almost every major cancer breakthrough since 1946 possible. ACS is currently funding innovative researchers working to find more treatment options, uncover potential cancer-causing factors, and improve the quality of life for people facing cancer. Mult-cancer blood tests are in development by research scientists. American Cancer Society CAN (Cancer Action Network) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan advocacy affiliate of ACS. CAN is urging Congress to make these blood tests available to those on Medicare once the tests are FDA-approved and shown to have clinical benefits.

The Benton County Relay For Life to support the American Cancer Society is just around the corner! The Relay will be held Sunday, June 2nd from 6:00 PM through 10:00 PM at the Benton Community High School track in Van Horne. Activities throughout the evening will include: speakers, games, ACS trivia questions for prizes, luminaria available for purchase, concession stand, DJ music, and continual relay walking. The specific schedule is:

n 5:45 - 6:30 Survivor Sign-in for free T-shirt

n 6:00 - Opening Ceremonies

n 6:15 - Guest Speaker - Dr. Christopher Stipp, Iowa Carver College of Medicine

n 7:00 - Survivors' Ceremony and Lap

n 7:30 - Frozen T-shirt Contest

n 9:00 - Luminaria Lighting

At Relay events across the country, there will be luminaria-small, decorated paper bags illuminated from within. Each one represents a life and shines in remembrance, hope, or triumph. Luminaria can be purchased at the Relay on June 2nd or can be purchased ahead of the Relay by contacting Ev Wiebke at (319)228-8348 or (319)350-8974.

Please join our local community in supporting the fight against cancer right here in Benton County! When we relay, we remind the community that hope is alive, and people facing cancer are not alone. Come with all your family and friends to remember those who lost their battle to cancer, those who are currently battling, and those who survived their battle. Help us in the fight for a world without cancer!