HOHENFELS, Germany -- "Super Heroes Wanted!"
That's the theme for this year's second annual "Relay for Life" at Hohenfels, and the American Cancer Society (ACS) fundraising event kicked off with an information meeting and celebration here, recently.
Relay for Life is a community-based fundraising event of the American Cancer Society where teams of participants take turns walking around a track for a designated length of time, often 24 hours, with the goal being having at least one member of your team on the track the entire event.
The event began in 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, ultimately raising $27,000. The following year, more than 300 people joined him. Today, almost four million people participate in more than 5,200 Relay events in the U.S. each year. It is estimated that Relay for Life has raised more than $5 billion for cancer research since its inception.
Last year, 16 Hohenfels teams raised almost $18,000. This year, event organizer Eilene Campsey is hoping to up the ante.
"This event today is to celebrate the kickoff of the 'Relay' season and start getting it in people's minds and out in the community," Campsey said. "We want people to get excited about starting their teams, and give them a lot of time to prepare, organize, fundraise and work with the super hero theme."
Participants create a team and sign up at the Relay for Life website. They can then email a link to friends, family and coworkers who can post donations to the team directly from the American Cancer Society's website.
Volunteers were on hand at the meeting to help people register for the event and Campsey spoke about various fundraising ideas such as a cupcake sale that earned hundreds of dollars last year. She also distributed various supplies such as ribbons, bracelets, stickers and team packets.
"Do whatever it is you need to get your team excited about participating in this event," she said. "We're hoping to see some capes and costumes -- maybe even design your own super hero."
That should be no problem for the Hohenfels Health Clinic Team who marched in super hero gear last year.
"We had the shirts with Captain American, Superman, stuff like that -- people ripping out of their shirts and everything," said Sgt. Lawrence Mione, last year's health clinic team leader.
Last year, the health clinic raised over $3,500 and was recognized at the kickoff celebration with a certificate as a Silver Level Rising Star. The ACS recognizes teams and individuals for their contribution efforts with a series of levels going all the way up to Ruby Level for $50,000.
"The fundraising happens before the event itself," said Campsey. ""All of that money becomes a part of your team's totals, and 100 percent gets donated to the various institutions that conduct research."
Besides raising money for cancer research, Campsey said one of the main goals of the event is to celebrate survivors and caregivers and to remember those who lost the fight.
Each Relay event across the nation begins with a 'Survivors Lap' with all the cancer survivors at the event taking the first lap around the track, celebrating their victory over cancer while being cheered on by the other participants.
This year's event will take place on June 6 at Hohenfels and it's not too late to join a team or create one. If you're interested in creating, joining, or donating to a team, visit www.relayforlife.org/hohenfelsmc, or contact ACS at 466-4860 or civilian 09472-83-4860.
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