Relay for Life set for May 31
By Alice Felts
Approximately 60 teams are expected to take part in this weekend's Relay for Life event at Fauquier High School's Falcon Field. Organizers also expect nearly 200 cancer survivors to participate.“Painting the town purple” is one of the goals of organizers for the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life, which begins May 31.
Businesses all over Fauquier County are displaying purple ribbons in their store fronts to show support for the upcoming community event.
Carole Overman and Jennifer Scarborough, friends since college, are co-chairing the occasion for a cause close to their hearts. The relay fund-raiser provides money for research, early detection, prevention education and patient services.
But one of the most important outcomes of the relay is community involvement in the celebration for cancer survivors, from the newly diagnosed to those in remission.
One in three people will get cancer. “Cancer is indiscriminate and knows no boundaries,” according to According to American Cancer Society literature.
“It could happen to any of us,” adds Overman.
There are approximately 2,200 cancer survivors in Fauquier County, according to Overman. That's why she and Scarborough have spent endless hours organizing the opening ceremony, special fun events, a luminaria ceremony and morning service, all starting on Saturday at 2 p.m. and ending after 7 a.m. on Sunday.
Almost 60 relay teams have registered with a goal of having at least one person on each team walk on the track, one at a time, at Fauquier High School. Relay walkers can “pass off” to another team member from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. during the event.
In addition to the individual teams raising donations for their participation, Overman said that the event has drawn more than $40,000 in corporate sponsorships, mostly from local businesses. “They say it's a lean year, but we're not seeing it,” she said.
Almost 200 cancer survivors plan to be at the Relay for Life on Saturday. The rest of the community is invited to come, as well. It's a recognition of survivors and, as Overman describes, a celebration.
For more information about this weekend's event, visit www.fauquierrelay.com .
E-mail the reporter: afelts@timespapers.com.