“Every Step Brings Hope” is the theme for the 2023 Relay For Life of Cass County. Participants will be Celebrating, Remembering and Fighting Back on June 25, 2023 at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA in Atlantic from 12-3 p.m.  Relay is an annual event that is held in communities all over the world to raise awareness and funds for cancer research. Relay for Life of Cass County Committee Chair Carole Schuler said it’s a great event for families to show their support.

If you are a cancer Survivor, registering for the Relay For Life of Cass County is a great way to show your support for other survivors in our communities.  Your participation and willingness to raise funds, spread awareness about the importance of cancer screenings, research developments, education, programming, and services, as well as Advocating for positive change for Iowans and all Americans is what Relay For Life is all about.  To register, please log onto www.relayforlife.org/casscoutyia and follow the prompts. If you prefer to use the phone, please call 1-800-227-2345 and our experts will get you complete the process for you.  Once registered, you will get an email (or they will ask on the phone) asking for your shirt size, and your complementary t-shirt will be mailed directly to your home. Schuler says survivors and their families is what the event is all about.

The public is also encouraged to form Teams consisting of families, friends, co-workers, Faith Families, and cancer haters across Cass County!  It is easy to register, just go to www.relayforlife.org/casscountyia and start your team today.  Once an individual raises $100 or more, they will get an email stating they are members of the “Hope Club” and will get a complementary 2023 Participant T-Shirt. If your business or organization wants to be a sponsor you are encouraged to reach out.

The event leadership team is working on developing the event. The event will feature a meal sponsored by long-time event friends at Hy-Vee starting at noon, so plan to come join for lunch.  A Kids Zone will be open in the back gym for some family fun with games and activities. At 1:00 p.m. will be the Survivor Ceremony and then Celebration lap around the track.  It’s a chance to cheer on our honored guests as they make their first or fortieth victory lap!

A National and local focus this year is Luminary Sales and the emotional Luminary Ceremony.  This year the committee has an ambitious goal of selling more than 100 luminaires supporting loved ones who are currently on their cancer journey, honoring those who have survived, and remembering those we have lost.  Luminaires are $10.00 each and can be decorated by the purchaser, or by our committee.  All bags will be displayed around the track throughout the event and will be again honored at the “Walk to Remember” in Anita this coming December.  Luminaires can be purchased on our event website, or by contacting Jodi Christofferson: jodichristoffersen@hotmail.com or 712.254.1409.

Relay for Life of Cass County is an important event for cancer survivors and their families. By joining, you can help show your support for all community members who have been touched by a cancer diagnosis.