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Relay for Life kicks off LL event with party
2/26/2014 10:42:00 AM

By Tammy Kimberley
Splash Staff Writer

With a desire to help people celebrate more birthdays as well as get in the spirit of the upcoming summer event, the Liberty Lake Relay for Life committee is inviting community members to an informational celebration this month. The kickoff party will be held 5:30 p.m. March 18 at Liberty Lake Community Theatre, 22910 E. Appleway.

"We'll have activities for kids while their parents are finding out info, as well as some light refreshments," American Cancer Society representative Jennifer Kronvall said. "We hope to answer any questions about Relay for Life and the American Cancer Society."

Relay Kickoff Party
March 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Liberty Lake Community Theatre
22910 E. Appleway

The event will include games, prizes, snacks and information about how to be a part of the American Cancer Society's 2014 Liberty Lake Relay. For more: www.facebook.com/libertylakerelay
 
Funds raised through Relay for Life go toward cancer research, programs and services, Kronvall explained. This includes making sure cancer patients receive their treatments by providing rides and lodging, when needed. 

The first Liberty Lake Relay, held in 2011, started with four committee members who managed to pull together an event that raised $12,000. Kronvall said last year's event raised $27,000.  

"It's grown a lot, especially when the trend has been going down for a lot of events," she said. "This Relay has gone the other direction."

The fourth annual Liberty Lake Relay for Life will be held July 18-19 at the Meadowwod Technology Campus. The theme for this year's event is "Once Upon a Relay: Everyone Deserves a Happily Ever After."

Jean Simpson, co-chair for this year's events, said a common misconception is that the event is an actual run. She emphasized the goal is to have fun while honoring survivors.

"The event itself is a culmination of everybody raising money. It's a big party where we celebrate everyone's efforts as well as celebrate the survivors," Simpson said. "That's why we do it - so people can celebrate more birthdays."

The event will begin 6 p.m. Friday evening with a full night of ceremonies, entertainment, games and kids activities. Simpson encouraged cancer survivors to sign up for the event so they can be recognized during the ceremonies and also be honored with a free dinner. 

While forming teams is encouraged for fundraising purposes, Simpson said you don't have to be part of a team to attend the event or to help out. The committee is still in the planning stages and is recruiting members for everything from team development to staffing the parking lot the night of the event.  

She also said she would like to see local companies come on board to challenge others in their industries with fundraising goals. 

"We're all in it for the same reason-we want a cure," Simpson said. "There are so many volunteering their time, there have got to be more people who want to do the same." 

For more, go to www.relayforlife.org/libertylakewa or www.facebook.com/libertylakerelay.
 

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