Join a ‘Relay for Life’ team By Pam Woolway – The Garden Island One event in particular embodies the spirit of ‘ohana in the islands — the American Cancer Society’s fund-raiser “Relay for Life.” An event that raises hope and
Join a ‘Relay for Life’ team
By Pam Woolway – The Garden Island
One event in particular embodies the spirit of ‘ohana in the islands — the American Cancer Society’s fund-raiser “Relay for Life.” An event that raises hope and funds for the fight against cancer and is orchestrated island style with tents by firelight.
Beginning at 6 p.m., May 3, community members will converge on Hanapepe Stadium for a gigantic camp out. Teams of 8 to 15 have been fund-raising for the event since November, but there’s still time to inspire friends and co-workers to unite.
“It’s never too late to sign up,” said team development chair, Mary Pigao. “Last year I got a team together 10 days before the event.”
For 10 years Kaua‘i residents have been supporting the event by forming teams to raise money for the American Cancer Society.
Here’s how the relay works — framing the track at the stadium will be hundreds of tents staking claim for just one night.
From 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. team members run or walk laps in a celebration of cancer survivors and in memory of loved ones lost.
“The first lap is just for survivors,” said community development manager Erika Sy. “Caregivers join survivors for the second lap.”
The luminaria-lit field becomes the manifestation of hope as teams alternate all night long in a procession around the track.
“Technically someone from the team should be on the track at all times,” said Sy. “But of course we don’t check.”
The theme this year is “celebrate, remember, fight back.”
Teams formed in the fall have been hosting events to raise money for the past three months but still have three months to go.
Director Mary Williamson said, “Garage and bake sales or a car wash are typical, but some teams host much larger events.”
“Teams average $100 per person,” Sy added. “But most go way beyond that.”
One family intimate with the disease hosts a softball tournament. “Connie’s Fighters and Survivors raised $13,000 last year,” Sy said. “The team is named in honor of Connie, who was the Westside cake lady.”
Another creative alternative is to have your employer match funds raised by an employee team.
“Last year Pioneer Seed in Waimea had a team that raised $3,783 and the company matched it,” said Sy. “They’re a team again this year.”
Or take a cyber-approach by raising money online.
“You can set up your own page on our Web site,” said Sy.
Sy shared a personal story about an auntie who was sick in the Philippines.
“When I went to send a check to help her with her medical expenses I had to call my other aunt three times to get the details straight.”
Sy said online giving would have made it so much simpler for the family. When team members set up pages they can upload their address book.
“They can send a link so friends can go directly to their page to donate on a credit card,” she explained.
“Direct letters are proven to be the best way to raise money,” said Williamson.
The second best way typifies another scenario that comes natural to Kaua‘i residents — food sales. The Hawaiian Airlines team utilized this method with overwhelming success.
“They had a lau lau sale,” said Sy. “They sold out of 120 tickets that were purchased for $8 each — and people keep asking when they’ll do it again.”
When you form your team you can also approach businesses for donations.
“Sponsors get their logos on the back of the Relay T-shirt,” said Sy.
To learn more about forming a team, attend the captain’s meeting at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Lihu‘e Neighborhood Center.
Send announcements when your team is hosting an event. The Garden Island will post it the Friday prior to the event in the Lifestyle section.
