SIDNEY — The 2017 Shelby County Relay for Life kicked off Friday night with $83,425.97 of the $157,750 goal already raised by participants.
Despite heavy winds and cool temperatures, 247 survivors were signed up an hour before the relay started, and 350 total participants were registered. Josh Moore, community manager of Relay for Life, said the number of participants was lower than last year at this point, but more money had been raised.
“We’re looking to do roughly what we did last year,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of people here and a lot of people that are supposed to be here. The weather did what we needed it do, and we’re going to have a great event.”
The event was scheduled from 6 p.m. Friday through 11:30 a.m. today, and followed the theme of It’s Game Over for Cancer. Many of the tents and laps followed themes, including a Scrabble lap and a tent decorated with playing cards. The annual 5K planned for this morning was postponed due to lack of participants, but other annual events, such as the baked goods sale and luminaria lighting, were on the agenda at press time.
Tracy Koontz, an Airstream employee, said she was planning to stay all night.
“We have a lot of employees who have cancer or are affected by cancer,” she said. “We want to give back and try to find the cure and fight this disease.”
Airstream, along with Honda, is a major sponsor of the Shelby County Relay, and before the relay began had raised more than $42,000.
During the opening ceremonies, Bob Schroerlucke, event co-leader, welcomed the participants to the event.
“We couldn’t do it without the community support, and we’re very happy to see all of you here,” he said.
Sarah Gibson, of Sidney, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner” and the Rev. Eileen Hicks, of Sidney First United Methodist Church, gave the invocation.
Glenna Limbert, a breast and skin cancer survivor, said the event provided community for her and her sister.
“I started walking with my sister over 10 years ago, and it’s just been great to have someone who understands,” she said. “The best part of the event is how everyone comes together. All the teams — they work so hard. It’s very touching, just everyone coming together and having each other’s back through the tears. I’m grateful for everyone that’s involved.”
Limbert also advocated for early testing. “Get checked, regularly. Do your family history, find out, even if it’s down the road. Just get early detection because it can come upon you at any point,” she said.
Blaine Batchelder, a cancer survivor, has walked in the relay for four years. “It’s where people get together for people who have a lot in common, like my wife and me, who have both had cancer,” he said. “People get to walk in companionship with others around the track and have a good day out here at the fairgrounds. We’re still fighting for life.”
Last year, participants raised $151,468 for the American Cancer Society, exceeding their goal by 21 percent. The event also garnered the American Cancer Society Award and the All American Award and was commended for having the largest increase in participation by cancer survivors in the Ohio/Pennsylvania region and for ranking No. 10 in the nation for per capita fundraising in its population “bucket.”
Scheduled for this morning are an auction at 8 a.m., a bike lap for children at 9:30 a.m., a cardboard car race at 10 a.m. and closing ceremonies at 11:30 a.m.
