Oxford marking 9th year of Relay
Friday, May 09, 2008
Oxford and surrounding area residents will gather at the Yager complex (between the stadium and the track) at 1 p.m. June 21 to celebrate the ninth anniversary of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life.
The event concludes at
Extras
10 a.m. June 22.
Over the course of nine years, Relay For Life of Oxford has raised more than $475,400 for cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services, while involving more than 65 teams, with more than 1,000 participants walking a combined 21,000 hours. In 2007, an extremely successful year, participating teams raised more than $97,000.
Longtime Relayer Denise Olthaus has been one of the participants who has participated every year.
The first Relay had humble beginnings almost 10 years ago. Oxford's Relay For Life was planned in six weeks by an enthusiastic group of individuals who had not ever been involved in Relay For Life. It was held on the track at Talawanda High School, and there were eight teams.
"It was a very chilly March night and the few that stuck it out all night spent a lot of time huddled around a fire ring for warmth," said Olthaus, who was one of the pioneers in that first event.
That first event raised $22,000, and Olthaus and her team from McCullough-Hyde Hospital have been involved every year since.
The Oxford Relay has moved several times to new locations and warmer months. It has been held at Talawanda High School, Cook Field and Millett Hall, and will move to the area between the stadium and track at Miami's Yager complex this year.
The first Relay had no team campsites or on-site fundraising. This year, teams will be at the event early June 21 pitching tents and setting up their fundraisers. The teams participate in theme laps all night long, such as the patriotic lap, pajama lap, glow in the dark lap, stuffed animal parade lap and team banner lap.
On-site fundraising is an important part of Relay For Life. Teams sell food, drinks, baked goods and jewelry, and many teams hold raffles for a variety of items. There are sponsored walks, tournaments and a demonstration of dog agility by the Hamilton Dog Training Club.
A very big part of Relay is honoring and remembering those whose lives were and are affected by cancer. There is a survivor luncheon at 11:30 a.m. June 21 in Millett Hall, and a luminiaria ceremony at dusk to honor loved ones. Caregivers, survivors, supporters, neighbors, friends and family are all welcome.
"The meaningful ceremony is highlighted by the reading of names of survivors and those who are no longer with us," Olthaus said. "It remains a vital part of this unique event. The thing that has remained unchanged throughout all the Oxford Relays is the solemn beauty and the community presence at the luminaria ceremony."
She praised the support shown by the Oxford community, the people who live and work here and local businesses which have been absolutely wonderful in the past years.
"The generosity is huge and genuine. We would like all businesses and residents to come out and walk with us in June," event co-chairwoman Lil Fesperman said. "Or better yet, form a team. The relay goes continuously for
21 hours. Some of us don't sleep at all because cancer never sleeps."
For information, contact Fesperman or Christy Heinrich at oxfordrelay@gmail.com or visit events.cancer.org/rfloxfordoh.
