American Cancer Society and CABA Host Relay for Life Event

On May 13, the American Cancer Society and the Carrollwood Area Business Association will host Relay for Life at Gaither High School, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway. The event will help raise money to find a cure for cancer.

Relay for Life is an 18-hour marathon during which participating teams will have one member walking or running around the Gaither High School track at all times. The relay benefit symbolizes the fight against an enemy that never sleeps or rests.

The event will last from 6 p.m. on Friday, May 13 until noon on Saturday, May 14.

Karina Footman, community representative for the American Cancer Society of greater Tampa, says she expects the seventh annual relay to be inspirational and successful.

“Cancer never sleeps, and neither do we," she said. “There will be games, there are activities, people sell food and we kick off the beginning of each relay event with a celebratory survivor lap. We invite every single cancer survivor in our community to come out and be honored.”

Footman says that survivors are treated to a victory dinner as well as the survivor lap around the track. And a special remembrance honors the victims cancer has claimed.

 “The remembrance is at 9 o’clock. We do a Luminaria ceremony,” said Footman. “A Luminaria is a small white bag that has a candle in it. It is dedicated to someone – honoring, remembering or supporting someone who has battled cancer.”

Footman says that the Gaither High School Relay for Life is unique, because there is such a diverse group of participants.

“We have teams from Gaither High School and from Chamberlain High School. We have business leaders in the community that have formed business teams,” said Footman. “And we also have friends of family teams. This relay has a lot of energy. They have almost 600 participants.”

Footman says that Gaither High School is the most centralized school in the Carrollowood community, and therefore is likely to encourage participation in the event. She credits Gaither High School for being very helpful and generous with the use of their facilities.

Lisa Demmi, vice chair for the Relay for Life planning committee, is excited about the event and its musically themed teams.

“Our theme this year is ‘Rock for a Cure,'" she said. "We’ve got an Elvis team, we’ve got an AC/DC team, we’ve got a Kiss team, we’ve got a Lady Gaga team and we’ve got a Glee team. We’ve got a jail where you’ll have to pay to get the person out. This year, we’ve got a big barbeque cook off and chair massages. Some guys are bringing Rock Band, and we’re going to have a Rock Band contest.”

Demmi, who is a member of the Carrollwood Area Business Association and served as president last year, got involved in Relay for Life last year at the request of fellow CABA members.

“It’s one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done," she said. "As soon as I got through last year’s, I said, ‘I’m doing it again.’ Sadly, this is one of those diseases that touches so many people that I just feel like the work we’re doing is really important. And also if I’m going to volunteer to do something, I’m going to have a good time."

Last year Relay for Life raised over $40,000. This year, officials hope to bring in $60,000.

The money will go to the American Cancer Society’s Quitline for those who need help quitting tobacco, support groups for cancer patients and families, transportation to and from treatment, lodging for patients and their support persons and funding for cancer research.

“Hearing an 8-year-old talk about the trouble he went through and now he gets to go back to school and hang out with his friends is just amazing,” said Demmi. “I would love to get some more survivors involved. The beginning of the night is a celebration for them.”

All cancer survivors are encouraged to attend the event as honored guests, and can contact either Footman or Demmi for information on attending.

Demmi says that it is not too late for teams to join, but each team must raise at least $100 dollars before the event and minors must be chaperoned.

The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life will be held at Gaither High School 16200 North Dale Mabry Highway, on Friday, May 13, 2011 at 6 p.m.

For more information, contact Karina Footman at 813-319-5932 Karina.Footman@cancer.org or Lisa Demmi at 813-962-4392 wutupdogg@verizon.net.

Or, visit http://www.facebook.com/RelayForLifeofCarrollwood, https://twitter.com/Relay4LifeCWood, and http://www.youtube.com/Relay4LifeCWood

Carrollwood Relay for Life sponsors:

The Rothman Law Offices

Dick and Karla Nielsen, Keller Williams

Back in Health Wellness

Beacon Asset Management

John Erb’s Service Center

Kabay Graphics

P & B Capital Group LLC

Larry Brook

Kingery & Crouse, CPA’s

The Red Elephant Pizza and Grill

Joyce Locke Photography