Relay for Life in Wyalusing -- Folks walk to raise money for cancer research

Between 300 and 400 people were at the event on Saturday morning time dressed in grass skirts, wreaths and Hawaiian prints, all hoping to raise money to struggle back against cancer. "Taking portion in Relay for Life intends that we are a critical function in the American Cancer Society's fighting for a remedy for cancer," said Shelli O'Conner, the event co-chair. "Let's all fighting back against cancer." The 19 squads at the Wyalusing Relay for Life began their walking at around 10 a.m., when they each displayed their team's decorated banner. The banners, decorated with people's names, Hawaiian drawings and other originative touches, were judged by the event staff for the streamer contest. Wyalusing Elementary came in third, Team Postal Precedence Hope came in 2nd and Wyalusing Lion Team placed first. The Wyalusing Lion Team's streamer had holes where the sun and a fish's human face were supposed to be, so that squad members could set their human faces in for an interesting sight. Throughout the Relay for Life event, at least one member of each squad have to be walking around the path at all times, said Tara Gordon, a staff member of the American Cancer Society. Teams raised money for the relay before the existent event, holding assorted fundraisers like poulet barbecues, handbasket Raffles and bake sales, she said. While the participants are walking, there is often amusement going on. On Saturday, there was clip scheduled for hula-hula dance lessons, Name that Tune and a game of Don't Forget the Lyrics. There were also many unrecorded amusement Acts scheduled to come up on Saturday, such as as the Endless Mountain Dance Studio, Jam Fest and a wind band. Along with the merriment entertainment, there are also a couple of particular events to be held during the relay, Gordon said. At 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, Gordon said, there would be a Survivor Ceremony, where malignant neoplastic disease subsisters are recognized, given particular violet shirts and necklaces, and are acknowledged by taking a lap around the track. Also, at 9 p.m. on Saturday, a leading light ceremonial was scheduled. "People can buy bags in award of someone," Gordon said about the leading light ceremony. "Candles in the bag are lit and they take a lap around the track." While squad members walked, other members could loosen up on the sidelines, some merchandising raffle tickets to gift baskets, having soundless auction bridges or retention bake sales, all to raise money for Relay for Life. The end for this year's Wyalusing Relay is $38,500, and the end is usually exceeded every year, one of the event coordinators said. The money that is raised will be divided, Gordon have said. Sixty percentage of the money will travel toward patient service programmes in Pennsylvania, and the remainder will travel toward malignant neoplastic disease research. The Wyalusing Relay for Life goes on today until 10 a.m. Teams will be walking through the nighttime until the squad circle and shutting ceremonies, which get at 9 a.m. The adjacent Relay for Life event in William Bradford County will be on Aug. Two and 3 at Troy's Alparon Park, Gordon said. Louis Comfort Tiffany Peden may be reached at (570) 888-9652; e-mai: reviewvalley@thedailyreview.com