Relay For Life Iron County

Iron County’s first American Cancer Society Relay for Life event will be held on Saturday, June 27 at Nelson Field. The relay will start at noon and conclude at midnight.
The opening ceremony will begin at 1 p.m. and will be led by Chris Shamion. According to one of the team leads, Ginger Davis, there are currently 16 teams and 141 participants registered. The total amount raised so far is $28,195.
“Those are very exciting numbers to see,” Davis said.
There will be many fun activities during the day including bucket rides provided by W.E. Energies for a donation, a bouncy house and a dunk tank. Relay Rabbit may also make an appearance as well. Musical entertainment and concessions will also be available throughout the day.
Many of the relay teams will offer items for sale and educational information about the different types of cancer. All proceeds from the sales will go directly to the American Cancer Society to fund research and many other programs.
The survivor’s reception is scheduled from 5-7 p.m. with the ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. According to Davis, the reception is being planned by cancer survivor Christine Perry. A tent and refreshments will be provided for the survivors wishing to participate.
“It is an opportunity for our cancer survivors to share their inspirational stories and for them to receive our message of hope and support,” Davis said. “This unique ceremony is what relay is all about.”
Luminaria bags will be lit at 9:30 p.m. around the track.
This year’s presenting sponsor is Shamco. According to a spokesperson with the American Cancer Society, “the Shamion Family has been instrumental in bringing the Relay for Life event to Iron County. Like many families, the Shamions have been forever changed by the effects of cancer. Their loss of two family members motivated them to try to make a difference and honor their loved ones who battled so courageously.
“Their pink logging truck and equipment is symbolic of the huge problem that cancer is and represents the long road cancer patients and their families take.
“They hoped the sheer size of the equipment coupled with the color would be a conversation starter for certain and create awareness to help support the cause.”
After participating in a Relay for Life event last August in Bessemer, Davis had talked to a few people in Iron County and said that there was no reason the event couldn’t take place here, too.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, the plan is for the event to move into the West Iron County high school gym.
“I’m so excited to be able to sit back and see the whole layout after all of the work and planning,” Davis said. “It will be exciting to see it all come together.”

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