Relay walkers get set to pace all night

POCOMOKE CITY -- With this year's plans finalized, the 2009 South Worcester Relay for Life will kick off at 6 p.m., May 30, at the Lower Shore Family YMCA with the presentation of the colors by the Pocomoke High School MCROTC color guard and the singing of the national anthem by Jennie Ronne, the choral teacher at PHS.

After the invocation by Pocomoke Mayor Michael A. McDermott, Dr. Elizabeth Burke will speak on the subject of cancer. Burke is a dermatologist, practicing out of Salisbury.
Following a roll call, the survivors will be honored by being asked to walk the first lap. They will be followed by the caregivers and finally the team captains. Treated to a reception, the survivors have a special place that evening. They are the people who have faced cancer firsthand. Any survivor who is not registered can do so the night of the relay.
After the special laps everyone will begin to walk, an activity that will continue until 6 the following morning. Laps will have special names such as the Patriotic Lap, the Kids Lap, Breast Cancer Awareness, Life Savers and a number of others.
Also during the evening the walkers and others attending will be entertained by a number of groups. Divided Highway, a band playing local oldies with Jack Burton, will lead off. Caruso will play contemporary Christian music followed by a group of singers led by Brandy Trader. Another presentation will be by soloist Frank Henry. Two men who are well known to relay participants, Jerry Barbierri and Mike Shannon, will serve as DJs later in the evening.
A special event, the Ceremony of Hope, will be held at 9 p.m. with the lighting of luminaries. Each of the lighted bags has a special meaning to the donor. Some will celebrate the life of a survivor who has battled cancer while others are lighted in memory of a loved one who has lost the battle.
In addition to the entertainment there will be a number of activities including a frozen t-shirt contest, a scavenger hunt, a recycled runway contest and a free sing karaoke.
The evening -- by that point, the morning -- climaxes with a celebration lap, closing ceremonies including announcements of top fundraisers and teams, and finally a church service led by Jamar Jackson.
During the eight years that the relay was held in Pocomoke City, between $300,000 and $400,000 was collected to advance the fight against cancer. The teams more than doubled the $15,000 goal in the first year and built on that amount during the subsequent years.
In the 25 years after Dr. Gordy Kiatt first ran on a track in Tacoma, Wash. to make a statement about cancer awareness, the Relay movement has grown to include more that 3.5 million people around the world.
There is still time for anyone who wishes to get involved with the relay. Call Jennifer Holland at 410-957-4898 or Jo Ella Brittingham at 410-957-3512.