All-night parties aren’t something Sedona is much known for, but there’s one that deserves a place on everyone’s calendar.
Live entertainment, a cookout, silent auction, free massages, luminaria, a midnight pizza run, camping under the stars and an al fresco pancake breakfast are all on the agenda beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.
That’s when the 7th annual Sedona American Cancer Society Relay for Life will hold its 14-hour fundraiser to fight cancer, a chance for everyone who’s been touched by cancer themselves or suffered the illness or loss of a friend, family member or co-worker to help bring this disease to an end.
By Susan Johnson
All-night parties aren’t something Sedona is much known for, but there’s one that deserves a place on everyone’s calendar.
Live entertainment, a cookout, silent auction, free massages, luminaria, a midnight pizza run, camping under the stars and an al fresco pancake breakfast are all on the agenda beginning at 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 12.
That’s when the 7th annual Sedona American Cancer Society Relay for Life will hold its 14-hour fundraiser to fight cancer, a chance for everyone who’s been touched by cancer themselves or suffered the illness or loss of a friend, family member or co-worker to help bring this disease to an end.
Some people used to think of cancer as a death sentence, but it isn’t any more, thanks to earlier diagnosis and improved treatment.
For all types of cancer combined, 65 percent of those diagnosed today are expected to survive at least five years and many will be cured, going on to live a natural lifespan, according to the Center for Disease Control.
That achievement and its steadily improving trend over the past 16 years is directly linked to the funds raised for research and all forms of patient care and advocacy.
The idea for the relay began in May of 1985 when Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma, Wash., colorectal surgeon, wanted to raise money for the American Cancer Society by doing something he enjoyed — running marathons.
He spent 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, joined by nearly 300 of his friends, family and patients who paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him, raising $27,000 in one night.
While Klatt circled the track, he, not surprisingly, envisioned a team relay event and a few months later, held the first ever City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer, registering 19 teams and raising $33,000.
People like Caroline Johnson and Don Staats of Sedona are just two of the 11 million survivors who have since benefited from medical advances against the disease.
To give hope to others and to raise money for the American Cancer Society, Johnson, whose cancer was diagnosed 12 years ago, is serving as Team Leader for the relay in Sedona, looking for additional teams to join the fun.
She and Staats will be among dozens of survivors from the Verde Valley setting the pace for teams comprised of friends, families, co-workers, community members, students, doctors and caregivers.
Teams may be comprised of any number of people with members taking turns circumnavigating the course at their own chosen pace, whether it’s walking, skipping, dancing, jogging or running.
Money can be raised by the team in any way of their choosing, including car washes, bake sales, pledges for laps and purchases of commemorative luminaria.
Cost of participation is $10 for each team member, however, for participating survivors there is no fee.
The relay begins at 6 p.m. on Friday and ends on Saturday at 8 a.m. staying true to the event’s motto, “Cancer never sleeps and neither will we.”
In between shifts on the track, there will be lots to do.
Participants can enjoy the cookout provided every year by the Elk’s Lodge, entertainment arranged by Tom and Shondra Jepperson, fresh pizza delivered by Moondog’s, visiting with their friends, or spreading out their sleeping bags and snoring in the starlight.
Last year, the relay raised a record-setting $44,600 from private donations coupled with the generosity of local sponsors, many of which have participated every year since the event began.
Some of the other sponsors returning this year with services and donations for the Silent Auction include Red Rock Tool Rental, the Kids Foundation from Camp Verde, Curves, the Rotary Club, the Kwey Club, Bodyworxx Massage, Bashas’, Wildflower Bakery, Starbucks, Picazzo’s and the Sedona Fire District.
All of the money raised goes directly to the American Cancer Society, excluding a small dollar amount spent for posters, lights and T-shirts for all participants.
As it has in the past, the relay will take place at the Sedona Red Rock High School’s track and football field.
Worries regarding restrictions on the use of the field were dispelled by Dave Young, project manager for the new athletic operations at the school.
“For this kind of an event, we’re going to make the arrangements work, no matter what,” Young said.
Southwest Asphalt Paving, the contractor reconstructing area roads, has also stepped forward, offering free sandbags to hold down the tents, a necessary change in order to avoid damaging the brand new turf with stakes.
One other change from prior years was made specifically by the organizers of the relay regarding canine companions.
“Although dogs have attended the event in the past, we are asking everyone to refrain from bringing them this year,” Johnson said.
For information on registering a team, donating items or services for the silent auction or becoming a corporate sponsor, call Staats at 203-9190 or Johnson at 203-4433.
Susan Johnson can be reached at 282-7795, Ext. 129, or e-mail sjohnson@larsonnewspapers.com
