The National Honor Society (NHS) is kicking off the year with raising a total of $5,034.25 as of March 22 for the Relay For Life event held through Dillion Spencer, Freedom’s representative for the American Cancer Society. With 88 total participants and 13 teams already formed, NHS will be hosting a board game-themed event on FASD’s track and field on Saturday, May 28.
Relay For Life is a movement that raises awareness and money for many cancer patients. It encourages people to take action and fight against diseases that have taken from several families across America.
Having several teams already formed and several more potentially being made, students of Freedom are looking forward to “paint(ing) the world purple” once again. NHS has been encouraging students to get involved and invite not only FHS students, but members from the entire community.
“Last year, I had a lot fun with the watermelon eating contest and the frozen T-shirt contest. This year, I’m excited for the luminarias because, every year, they are different and it’s really cool to see them all,” Senior Lara Pavlick said.
The event starts off with all the cancer survivors taking the first lap, with everyone else forming a line, cheering them on with different team stations and activities. When the sun goes down and it starts to get dark, luminarias are displayed in honor of people who fought or are still fighting cancer. Lining the track, each bag is personalized and has a candle inside of it.
The $5,034 dollars already raised, was from team donations made before the event has even taken place. Currently, NHS has sold luminarias, finished penny drives in the middle and elementary schools, sold track signs and T-shirts. Principal William Deal has started his team’s fundraising off by having the faculty pay in order to dress down on Mondays.
During the Relay For Life event, there will be booths, fundraisers and activities held throughout to help reach their goal of $30,000. At the event, they will be raffling off baskets, selling food and playing games in order to raise even more money.
The activities that will be taking place from 2 p.m.-10 p.m. will be fun and entertaining for all age groups. Each team will have a different board game at their tent, providing variety and amusement all over the football field. While people will be having fun and playing games, it is required to have at least one member per team walking on the track at all times because cancer never stops, so neither will the teams.
Eight hours out of someone’s day at an event like this would be making a huge impact, maybe even saving a patient’s life. According to the American Cancer Society, 14 million have survived thanks to this event so far, and more lives will continue to be saved every year.