1,300 participate in Relay for Life
More than 300 cancer survivors were among the 1,300 participants in the 2011 Vancouver Relay for Life at Columbia River High School.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
West Hazel Dell — Some 1,300 participants turned out to honor 340 cancer survivors and 185 caregivers during the 23rd Annual Vancouver Relay For Life. More than 150 teams raised $232,000 for the American Cancer Society on July 16-17. The relay walk, at Columbia River High School, went for 24 hours and represented a day in the life of a cancer patient. After sundown, about 3,000 luminarias were lit during a ceremony in memory of loved ones who have died. This year organizers focused on re-establishing a sense of community during the event and feel they succeeded, said Angela Dockum, relay co-chairwoman. As the sun rose, during the Fight Back Ceremony, remaining participants let loose 200 balloons and made pledges to take action against the disease.
