Relay for Life committee ready to kickoff
Published 11:35 am Friday, November 21, 2014
FRANKLIN—The Franklin-Southampton chapter of the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life hosted their season-opening kickoff event on Tuesday evening, revealing the theme for this year’s walk. The 21st-annual event, which take’s place on June 6, 2015, will have a Country Western theme, said spokesperson Billie Turner.
Turner kicked of Tuesday’s proceedings by handing out paper mustaches to those in attendance, stressing the importance of “Movember,” also known as “No-shave November,” and encouraging men to grow facial hair.
Mynik Taylor, specialist at the American Cancer Society, sets up table with Relay for Life shirts. Photo by Andrew Lind.
“This month is about letting cancer know its days are numbered,” said Turner, as she read several studies on the fatality rate of prostate cancer.
As the group got focused on the upcoming year, Turner noted that several things will be different leading up to and during the event.
“We’ve revamped some procedures and placed some new people in a leadership capacity,” said Turner.
The most notable change, however, is the venue, as the event returns to Franklin after a two-year stint at Southampton High School. Moving to Armory Field this season, Turner imagines a scenario that is pleasing to both the city and the county.
“The plan is to keep it in Franklin for two years, and then move back to Southampton High School for two more,” said Turner. “We’d like to continue to rotate the location moving forward.”
Mynik Taylor, the American Cancer Society’s representative for Franklin-Southampton, was also in attendance and wearing a purple tutu.
“I’m wearing this because I want you all to see my energy and passion for this cause,” said Taylor.
Those who share Taylor’s enthusiasm can sign up online prior to the event or in-person that morning. Tentative plans for the event, which will be solidified during the next meeting on Jan. 20, include in-person registration from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m on the first Saturday in June, with the first walk shortly thereafter.
There is no registration fee this season, however, those that would like an exclusive Hope Club t-shirt must raise $100 before a date that is to-be-determined at the Jan. 20 meeting.
More information will also be disclosed at the next meeting regarding the inaugural Survivor’s Dinner, tentatively scheduled for May 30.
Further information about the 2015 Franklin-Southampton Relay for Life is available on their website at www.relayforlife.org/franklinsouthamptonva, as well as by searching Relay for Life Franklin-Southampton on Facebook or relayforlife_2015fshc on Instagram.
