"Sportin' a Cure" -- county set for 2008 Relay for Life

The Bourbon County Relay for Life organization is entering the final week of its 2008 "Sportin' a Cure" campaign, which culminates in an all-night relay walk on Friday and Saturday.

Bourbon County Relay for Life spokeswoman Marilyn Landers said she is hoping for a good turnout from the community this weekend during the organization's 24-hour relay walk -- the group's premier fundraiser in their continuing search to find a cure for cancer.

"We encourage the community to come out and support us in our fight against cancer," she said.

The Bourbon County Relay for Life organization has another event planned this week as teams prepare for the local relay walk -- one of thousands of similar events planned by Relay for Life chapters nationwide this summer.

The Bourbon County Relay for Life steering committee and committee member Daryl Roller will host the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Coffee at 8 a.m. Thursday at Frary Field, the football stadium located just north of Fort Scott High School. The event will take place at the Frary Field concession stand located at the southwest corner of the football field.

During that event, guests will be able to purchase $5 luminaries -- small paper bags that contain candles and feature the names of cancer patients, survivors, victims and caregivers, Landers said.

At least 34 registered teams will participate in the organization's all-night relay walk that begins at 6 p.m. Friday, with an opening ceremony, and concludes at 6 a.m. Saturday, on the track that circles the football field at Frary Field. During the walk, teams of local residents will camp out at the football stadium, taking turns walking or running around the track. Each team must have one representative on the track at all times during the event.

Each year, hundreds of community members turn out to watch or participate in the organization's planned weekend activities.

Local teams are still trying to raise a total of $75,000 through corporate sponsorship, donations from the community, and the sale of luminaries. All money raised by the organization benefits the American Cancer Society and its services. The group raised $64,000 last year.

Each year, more than three million people across the nation participate in Relay for Life events, according to the organization's Website, www.relayforlife.org.

Landers said that while the total amount of money raised by the group was not yet available, the organization has thus far collected about $13,000 from corporate sponsors in the area -- slightly more than the $10,000 in corporate sponsorship the group had planned to raise this year. Final figures from the fundraiser won't be available until next week, she said.

Following opening ceremonies on Friday evening, Boban Mathew, a hematologist and oncologist from Pittsburg, will lead a lap around the track to recognize cancer survivors before other teams become involved in the relay walk, Landers said.

William James Schafer, a local cancer survivor, will be the guest speaker for the event. Entertainment for the evening will be provided by the Abundant Grace Band, the Susan Stern Dance Group, the Red Garter Saloon, and many other individuals and groups.

The event will include several other planned activities scheduled to take place throughout the evening and into the morning hours, including a live auction and a drawing for a new lawn mower and various other items. A luminary ceremony to recognize and honor all cancer survivors, victims and caregivers, is also planned for Saturday morning.

Bourbon County Relay for Life officials said the event will also include a few surprises, as well as activities to remember those people who have died from cancer, and to celebrate those people who have survived after being diagnosed with the deadly disease.

"They have a lot going on, and want you, the community, to join them for a night of fun, fellowship and to show your support for such a worthy cause," an FSACC statement said.