An event to help fight cancer is coming back to Orange Park Saturday, after a two-year wait. The First Coast Relay For Life’s “Carnival for a Cure,” will be held at Orange Park Mall on May 7, from 4 to 9 p.m.
The goal is to raise awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society. The event hopes to raise at least $63,000 this year.
“The importance of this event is to really raise awareness and show we aren't backing down from our fight,” says Erin Morris, Volunteer Event Lead, “Relay for Life has always symbolized never giving up and working together to help others in their journey with cancer - to know they are not alone.”
Erin’s family created a team in memory of her grandmother. She has been involved in raising money for cancer research through school groups and organizations through work.
This year's event will feature vendors, food trucks, games, costumers, an inflatable slide, touch-a-truck, and more.
The event has been on hold since the start of the pandemic. “This year for 2022, we are looking for a comeback!,” says Morris, “People are venturing out from their homes and are looking for things to do and ways to get involved again. We have selected "Carnival for a Cure" as our theme in order to really open the event to the community. We would love to see them swing in to have some fun and support the cause and our teams, which will be there for the entirety of the event.”
Everyone is encouraged to donate a Luminaria bag, to honor a loved one. The bags were decorated by students from Montclair and Lakeside Elementary School. The luminaria bags will be lining the track for the fun run. The bags will be illuminated throughout the ceremony. Participants will then take a lap in silence after the ceremony. Bags can be created on-site at the event or a pre-decorated bag can be purchased ahead of time.
Everyone is also encouraged to bring a canned good or boxed food item to support the Jacksonville Hope Lodge. Those items will be placed in the free food pantry at the Lodge for guests undergoing treatment.
To register for the fun run or to join a team
, visit relayforlife.org/firstcoastfl.
If anyone has questions or needs advice, ACS has a 24/7 phone line, 1-800-227-2345.
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