By Tim Schmidt Record Managing Editor Organizers of the Relay for Life of Warren County say it’s not too late to participate in this year’s event. So far, 18 teams and 122 people have signed up to participate. Organizers hope to have at least 23 teams and 200 participants. “We’re getting close, but we’re not there yet,” said Carie Biggs, Relay for Life organizer. “Usually we get more participants as we get closer to the Relay.” Relay for Life will begin at 6 p.m. Friday, June 6, and conclude at 1 a.m. Saturday, June 7, at Black Hawk Middle School in Warrenton. A survivor’s walk will be held at 7 p.m. The theme for this year’s event is “Colorful Rays of Hope.” Participants will take part in the largest fund-raising walk in the nation around the school’s track. A variety of activities are held throughout the event to bring awareness to the disease. Individuals or teams can register at www.relayforlife.org/warrencomo. This is the second year the Relay for Life will end at 1 a.m. Biggs said attendees seemed to like the shorter hours, compared to past year when the event lasted for 12 hours. “We had a lot more people who did stay,” Biggs said. “It’s not as long. We are trying to make it where people stay longer, enjoy the night and early morning.” Organizers hope to raise $60,000 at this year’s event. The money raised at the Warren County event and others held in Missouri and across the nation help fund cancer research and various other programs. In the week leading up to the Relay for Life, organizers are encouraging residents to show support by participating to “paint the town purple.” Everyone is encouraged to feature the color purple is as many places as possible. Some ideas include decorating store windows, display Relay for Life posters or purple balloons or handing our purple cookies. Biggs said committee members would like to not only see businesses participate, but residential homes as well. She noted that Warren County and Warrenton city officials have agreed to place purple ribbons on their buildings and light poles. Purple is the color of hope and is traditionally is the color cancer survivors wear at the Relay for Life. “We want to get the community involved,” Biggs said. “We got a lot of people helping us. It’s a fun way we’re trying to make people aware of the date.” For more information, call 636-922-9536, email kanna.rook@cancer.org or visit relayforlife.org/warrencomo.
Relay for Life
