A scene from last year's Relay. Press file photo
The annual 24-hour walkathon, benefiting the American Cancer Society, will return to the track at Tracy High School from 10 a.m. Saturday to 10 a.m. Sunday. Sue Mudd, the opening ceremonies and advocacy chairwoman, said this weekend will be about two big milestones: 10 years in Tracy and more than $3 million raised for cancer research.
Mudd said that while the fundraising total wasn’t surprising, she couldn’t believe it had already been 10 years.
So far this year, Mudd said, about $125,000 has been raised, compared with a total of $289,000 last year. While the economy might be the reason more money hasn’t been raised yet, she said, the relay is on target for the goal of about last year’s sum.
As of Tuesday, about 925 people had signed up on 95 teams. Teams can still register online for a $150 fee.
“Anybody can come out and walk,” Mudd said.
Mudd said she anticipates clear skies this weekend, unlike last year, when a rainy day made for a muddy track.
At a Glance:
Relay For Life themed laps
Saturday
10 a.m.: Victory Lap (cancer survivors)
11 a.m.: Caregivers & Family Members
Noon: Bizarre Braziers (decorate a bra in support of breast cancer awareness)
1 p.m.: Start 'em Out Right (kids lap)
2 p.m.: Beach Party (wear beach gear)
3 p.m.: Boxing Up Prostate Cancer (decorate a pair of boxers)
4 p.m.: Crazy Hats and Wigs
5 p.m.: Relay Team Spirit (carry a Spirit Stick, wear a relay T-shirt)
6 p.m.: Care Bear Lap (take a stuffed toy to donate to a hospital)
7 p.m.: Around the World (celebrate diversity)
8 p.m.: Power of Purple
9 p.m.: Memory Lap (carry a picture or poster of a loved one)
10 p.m.: Dance/Conga (dance or conga for a lap)
11 p.m.: Vintage Relay Shirts (wear an old relay shirt from one of the past 10 years)
Sunday
Midnight: Shine a Light on a Cure (flashlights or glow sticks)
1 a.m.: Pajama Lap
2 a.m.: Blanket Lap
3 a.m.: Teddy Bear or Snuggle Buddy Lap
4 a.m.: Spread the Knowledge (show school spirit)
5 a.m.: Who’s Afraid of the Dark (dress like a ghost or zombie)
6 a.m.: Nerd Alert (dress like your favorite geek)
7 a.m.: Pitching for a Cure (put on a favorite baseball team’s gear)
8 a.m.: Wish You Were a Kid Again (dress like a kid)
9 a.m.: Community for a Cure (everyone on the track)
Relay For Life returns to Tracy
As far as forming a team for this year, yes its too late, but to show support and to help raise money for a cure its never too late. You and anyone can come and purchase items at booths, where all funds raised get turned into the relay fund. You could swing by the front booth and purchase a luminary for $5 each in the name of those you have lost, are fighting agaist or are surviving agaisnt cancer, then saturday night they will be displayed around the field and bleachers in a wonderful ceremony. You can even do your share of walking the track.
We hope to see you and everyone eles there this saturday
As a man who lost his father, father-in-law and nearly lost his mother to cancer, I applaud you. I wish that I'd known about this earlier, and possibly I could have motivated a few co-workers to join in. Maybe next year.
Again, my Dodger's cap is off to all of you. My little bout with skin cancer recently is nothing like what my people - and yours - have been through. I am once again proud to work with youth daily.
WELL DONE.