Walsenburg Relay for Life

WALSENBURG — Fourteen teams from workplaces, places of worship, schools, and more participated in the American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Huerfano event on July 18, 2015 at Huerfano Community Sports Complex- John Mall Field.  More than 100 registered participants raised almost $21,000 to support the Society’s lifesaving mission. 
The following teams and individuals were recognized with special awards:
The Holy Rollers were the top fundraising team with team captain, Terry Warlick, being the top individual fundraiser.  The team, Social Butterflies, was the most high spirited.
Food, fun and entertainment reigned at the event.  The evening featured a moving luminaria ceremony in which luminaria bags lined the track in honor or in memory of loved ones.  The names of loved ones were read, celebrated and remembered.
The Relay For Life program is a community event where teams and individuals set up campsites at a school, park, or fairground and take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team has at least one participant on the track at all times.  Cancer survivors and caregivers take a celebratory first lap to start each event.  Four million people participated in more than 6,000 events worldwide last year.  The money raised supports groundbreaking cancer research, education and prevention programs, and critical services for people facing cancer.
“It was very inspirational to see people from all parts of our community fight back against cancer,” said Bernice Angely.  “Together, we celebrated those surviving cancer, remembered loved ones lost too soon, and took action to finish the fight once and for all.”
The American Cancer Society appreciates Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center for their continued support and sponsorship of Relay For Life of Huerfano County.
Donations can still be made by visiting the Relay For Life of Huerfano County event’s website:  www.relayforlife.org/huerfanocountyco.
We are looking forward to next year!  Relay For Life of Huerfano County is seeking volunteers to assist in planning the 2016 Relay.  If interested, please contact Stacy Reavis, Community Manager-Relay For Life at: 719-630-4967 or stacy.reavis@cancer.org. Photos by Edie Flanagin.