Gurnee/Wadsworth host Relay for Life kickoff event
By Long Hwa-Shu Special to The News-Sun February 19, 2012 6:42PM
Gurnee-Kick-off celebration at the Marcus Theaters in Gurnee Mills for this years Relay for Life to be held in July. Caden Cole is ready to celebrate.| Joe Cyganowski ~ For Sun Times Media
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Updated: April 20, 2012 1:52AM
Gurnee and Wadsworth kicked off their joint 10th annual American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life on Saturday with high hopes of raising $170,000 for cancer research and patient services.
The festive event, held in the lobby of the movie theater at Gurnee Mills, had as its theme: Celebrate, Remember and Fight Back.
More than 10 relay teams set up booths at the kickoff, accentuated with balloons, music and announcements.
“We’ve raised $1.4 million in the past nine years, and we hope to raise more money this year,” said Kelly Stanbary, chairman of the group, who lost her mother to lung cancer in 2005.
“She used to relay herself,” she reminisced.
Many who participated at the kickoff are from families that have been ravished by cancer — either losing their loved ones or that they are still fighting for their lives.
The actual relay will be held July 14-15 at Warren High School on Almond Road. It’s an overnight event that’s expected to attract hundreds of people, including cancer survivors, family members, caregivers and fund-raisers. Those who lost their lives will be remembered and those who currently are dealing with cancer will be given support.
“Our teams will use a variety of creative ways to raise money at the relay,” said Stanbary of McHenry, pointing out the relay offers a healing experience for cancer victims and for them to meet others who claimed victory over the disease. She mentioned, among others, bake sales, bowling games and auctions.
Kathy Clement of Antioch heads a team of 10, including two children that raised $16,000 last year, the most raised by a team.
“We hope to raise $20,000 this year,” said she who was assisted at the kickoff by her daughter Diane Streicher of Gurnee. Clement’s parents both died of cancer and she herself is in remission from bladder cancer.
Her team, called “It’s a Wonderful Life,” will hold its fourth annual bowling fund-raiser on March 4 at the Bertrand Bowling Lanes in Waukegan. The event includes a silent auction.
Heidi May of Gurnee, twice in remission from breast cancer, was overseeing a model-car race set up by her son, Charlie, 17, a senior at Warren. The son planned to use the car race to raise money at the relay.
“We’re planning to charge 25 cents a race, It’s also a fun thing to do,” he said.
Eileen Beckman of Wildwood, who is on the caregivers committee, said the group wants to give special recognition to those who give care to cancer patients. She remembers as a child living in Highland Park, she used to walk door-to-door with her mother to raise money for the crusade against cancer. Her mother, who turns 77 Tuesday, she said, has throat and breast cancer.
The Gurnee/Wadsworth group is seeking nominations for honorary co-chairs for this year’s relay. Candidates can be either a cancer survivor or a caregiver who has made a difference in one’s life or the life of a family member or friend.
Nominations can be made by May 12 via e-mail to Diane Bliese at Bykerfamily5@sbcglobal.net or by mail to her at 475 N. O’Plaine Road, Gurnee, 60031.
“We would like to recognize a special survivor and a special caregiver at this year’s Relay for Life,” said Stanbary.
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