Rally kicks off Relay For Life season in Buckley

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life of Buckley, which won a Pierce County Pacesetter Award last year, got off to a rousing start with its opening rally Dec. 3.

Taking place in the White River High School commons, the rally was an inspiring beginning to the Relay For Life season for returning teams and newcomers. Motivational speakers and videos, food and music helped get the Relay season started.

Relay For Life is an overnight community event in which participants celebrate cancer survivors, remember those who lost their battle with cancer and fight back by raising money for research and patient information and services.

Every year more than 2 million people will be diagnosed with cancer, but three out of five will beat it, many helped by the Cancer Society.

Buckley’s 2010 Relay For Life will be May 14 and 15.

Fundraising efforts make a difference to someone coping with this disease. Relay donations help the ACS provide rides to treatment, weekly online sessions of advice and information, wigs and screening tests.

This year’s committee is looking for more teams to have an even better year than last year’s award-winning effort when 30-plus teams raised more than $87,000. Nearly 20 teams are already signed up. Organizers are urging other to form a fundraising team with friends or coworkers.

For more info, contact Penny Frame at 253-222-4181 or p4frame@yahoo.com or event chairwoman Alisa Garate at 360-829-9684 or garate55@hotmail.com. Or, visit the Relay For Life in Buckley Web site, www.relayforlifeofbuckley.com.

Comment on this story.

COMMENTING RULES: We encourage an open exchange of ideas in our online community, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. In a nutshell, don't say anything you wouldn't want your mother to read. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.