By Wade Coggeshall
CNHI
PLAINFIELD — Attendees of this year's Relay for Life here Saturday didn't let stifling heat and the threat of rain keep them from having a good time and raising thousands of dollars for cancer patients and research.
The third annual Relay for Life ran from from 9 a.m. Saturday to 9 a.m. Sunday at Metropolis. The event, conducted in communities nationwide by the American Cancer Society, runs for 24 hours straight to symbolize that cancer never sleeps. Teams of walkers raise money to help local cancer patients and fund cancer research. Each team tries to keep at least one walker on the track at all times.
"We've had a great turnout," Survivor Chairperson Deborah Pitts said Saturday afternoon. "We're very pleased."
The rain mostly held off, though not at the start.
"We got poured on when we were out here setting up," said Christine Darling, the relay's chairperson. "But we got through it. This doesn't stop."
This is the third year for the Relay for Life here, which has always been conducted at Metropolis. The event featured various forms of entertainment, including the Relay Idol karaoke contest. Fundex Games, which had a team this year, sponsored a fun area for children and coordinated a bean bag toss contest.
The theme of this year's relay was "Partying Through the Decades." Famous people throughout history who battled cancer were highlighted each hour.
"We try to have some fun laps," Pitts said.
Several sponsors also pitched in goods and funding, including Five Star Catering, Hendricks Regional Health, Stone Creek, Rave, Olive Garden, Applebee's, Hilligoss, Kroger, and myriad local businesses who donated items for cancer survivor gift bags.
"Everyone has really pitched in and helped us out," Pitts said. "There's a lot of businesses here and we have a small sampling, but they've been very generous with what we've received."
While Pitts said the Relay for Life here is still in its infancy, they're already seeing many familiar faces among their survivors. She expected at least 40 to attend Saturday evening's birthday-themed party celebrating their victory over cancer.
"From what I've witnessed, it means a lot," Pitts said. "This is why I do this. Without survivors, we have no hope that we can beat cancer. For them it's heartwarming that people recognize what they've been through and are doing this to keep it from happening to others."
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
