Relay For Life of the North Shore, a volunteer driven, twelve-hour walkathon that attempts to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer, is to be held from June 14-15 on the GBS football field, from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. Although this is not a new tradition for South, Relay for Life leaders have made it their goal to bring this event to a new level through increased community participation.
According to Deborah Stein; sponsor of Cure Club, the GBS cancer awareness club; the walkathon is a community event run by the American Cancer Society, who rents the GBS football field for the event. Similar walkathons occur nationwide.
Last year’s walk was largely a success, according to Brittany Balzano, president of Cure Club, because of the amount raised for those affected by cancer. The event collected $93,000, Balzano said, with 72 cents of every dollar going to research.
Last year Balzano created a group called Relay Leaders for which she elected 30 South students to help organize the event. Together they helped form the new Glenbrook South Relay team to allow for greater participation.
Stein emphasized that the main goal of this year’s Relay for Life is to get more people to participate than ever before. In order to do so, the event will have lots of new activities, Balzano says.
“There is live entertainment, games, activities, and more throughout the night,” Balzano said. “You don’t have to stay the night but you are encouraged to. Everyone brings tents, food, blankets, chairs, footballs, and more. It’s a great way to meet the community and fight back for a huge cause that has affected all of us.”
One such activity is the Luminaria Ceremony where, between 9-10 p.m., the lights are shut off and candles are lit around the track and bleachers. According to Balzano, these candles have a deeper significance.
