A 12-hour Relay for Life fundraiser to help end cancer will be held at San Juan High School this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
The annual event will kick off with a ceremony at 11 a.m. to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, followed by a “survivor’s lap” around the track. Various laps and activities like “dunk a cop” will be held throughout the day, concluding with a closing ceremony at 10:30 p.m. that will focus on committing to fight cancer over the next year and remembering those whose lives have been lost.
In a news release, local organizer Tamika Stove said thousands of Relay for Life fundraisers are held around the globe each year to raise money for the American Cancer Society. She said the events feature teams and individuals camping out at a school, park, or fairground, with each taking turns walking or running around a track or path. Teams also raise funds in the months leading up to the event.
As of June 8, the Relay for Life of Citrus Heights effort reports more than $13,000 has been raised from the work of 21 teams and over 100 participants. The Citrus Heights City Hall team is listed as the top fundraiser so far on the Relay for Life website, with Leatherby’s Creamery most recently pledging to donate 20 percent of proceeds during a “give back” fundraiser on June 7.
Citrus Heights Police Lt. Jason Russo said this year’s event will feature a police-organized fundraiser where participants can pay a small fee for a chance to throw balls and send an officer into a dunk tank. He said there will also be a small “jail” setup where participants can pay a fee to have police put someone in the jail. The person jailed will then have to raise money in order to get out of jail, with all proceeds going to support the Relay for Life.
After dark, organizers say the event will feature a 9 p.m. candlelight Luminaria Ceremony to “remember loved ones lost to cancer, support people who currently have cancer, and honor people who fought cancer in the past.”
Those with questions about the event are invited to contact Tamika Stove at 916-561-2911, or visit www.relayforlife.org/citrusheightsca. San Juan High School is located at 7551 Greenback Ln., in Citrus Heights.
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