Every year, more than four million people all over the world take part to raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Both Bloomingdale and Newsome Senior High Schools will host a Relay for Life event in the upcoming weeks.
Bloomingdale Senior High School will host their Relay For Life of Bloomingdale event on the track at the school, located at 1700 Bloomingdale Ave., in Valrico beginning at 12 Noon on Saturday, March 29 and ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 30. The theme this year will be “Movies.” Currently there are over 22 plus teams with almost 200 participants. For more information, e-mail Mallory McLean at mallory.mclean@cancer.org. McLean, Relay for Life Specialist who works for the local American Cancer Society Office said, “I am lucky to work for an organization that believes in both fighting back against cancer and community building—Relay For Life unites both of these causes.”
Relay For Life of FishHawk will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6. The event, which will take place at Newsome High School, 16550 Fishhawk Blvd. in Lithia, will begin at 12 Noon on Saturday and continue through Sunday morning at 6 a.m. Event Chair, Mary Kathryn Kennedy said, “With this year’s theme being Superheroes, there are about 40 plus teams working together to raise a stretch goal of $165,000 this season.” The 2014 Honorary Survivor Chair and speaker during Opening Ceremonies for the Relay For Life of FishHawk is Newsome High School Senior, Kate Gatewood, of Lithia.
Potential teams interested in registering for the Relay For Life of FishHawk can contact Kennedy at 376-0013 or visit www.relayforlife.org/fishhawkfl for more information.
Prior to the FishHawk Relay for Life, A Coach Bingo will take place on Friday, March 21 at Sunset Bay Chapel, located at 6026 Churchside Dr., in Lithia. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the games begin at 7 p.m. Every Bingo winner takes home a brand new authentic Coach product. Coach Bingo will take place on Friday, March 21. Tickets cost $35 and include 12 colorful Coach bingo game cards, bingo dauber, door prize ticket, thank you gift and refreshments. Additional Coach Bingo game cards may be purchased at the door. There will also be a silent auction, “Bling” T-shirt sales, door prizes and 50/50 raffle. For tickets, contact Kennedy at 376-0013 or mkkennedy@verizon.com or visit TNT Smoothies & Supplements at 15280 FishHawk Blvd., in Lithia.
Even if you are not participating on a team, you are welcome to attend either of these Relays in support of those 
participating. Each Relay begins with a Survivor’s walk. A very solemn and moving Luminaria ceremony is held when the sun goes down. The Luminaria Ceremony is a time to remember people lost to cancer and to support those currently battling the disease. The power of this ceremony lies in providing an opportunity for people to work through their grief and find hope. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at a Relay For Life event. If you’ve been affected by cancer in any way, being part of the Relay event empowers you to make a difference and fight back. This is your opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember those that were lost to this disease and raise funds and awareness to help end cancer forever. More team participation is welcome at both Relays.
For more information on area events and Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org.
Local Communities Relay To Honor And Keep Hope Alive
By Michelle Colesanti
Every year, more than four million people all over the world take part to raise much-needed funds and awareness to save lives from cancer through the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. Both Bloomingdale and Newsome Senior High Schools will host a Relay for Life event in the upcoming weeks.
Bloomingdale Senior High School will host their Relay For Life of Bloomingdale event on the track at the school, located at 1700 Bloomingdale Ave., in Valrico beginning at 12 Noon on Saturday, March 29 and ending at 6 a.m. on Saturday, March 30. The theme this year will be “Movies.” Currently there are over 22 plus teams with almost 200 participants. For more information, e-mail Mallory McLean at mallory.mclean@cancer.org. McLean, Relay for Life Specialist who works for the local American Cancer Society Office said, “I am lucky to work for an organization that believes in both fighting back against cancer and community building—Relay For Life unites both of these causes.”
Relay For Life of FishHawk will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6. The event, which will take place at Newsome High School, 16550 Fishhawk Blvd. in Lithia, will begin at 12 Noon on Saturday and continue through Sunday morning at 6 a.m. Event Chair, Mary Kathryn Kennedy said, “With this year’s theme being Superheroes, there are about 40 plus teams working together to raise a stretch goal of $165,000 this season.” The 2014 Honorary Survivor Chair and speaker during Opening Ceremonies for the Relay For Life of FishHawk is Newsome High School Senior, Kate Gatewood, of Lithia.
Potential teams interested in registering for the Relay For Life of FishHawk can contact Kennedy at 376-0013 or visit www.relayforlife.org/fishhawkfl for more information.
Prior to the FishHawk Relay for Life, A Coach Bingo will take place on Friday, March 21 at Sunset Bay Chapel, located at 6026 Churchside Dr., in Lithia. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the games begin at 7 p.m. Every Bingo winner takes home a brand new authentic Coach product. Coach Bingo will take place on Friday, March 21. Tickets cost $35 and include 12 colorful Coach bingo game cards, bingo dauber, door prize ticket, thank you gift and refreshments. Additional Coach Bingo game cards may be purchased at the door. There will also be a silent auction, “Bling” T-shirt sales, door prizes and 50/50 raffle. For tickets, contact Kennedy at 376-0013 or mkkennedy@verizon.com or visit TNT Smoothies & Supplements at 15280 FishHawk Blvd., in Lithia.
Even if you are not participating on a team, you are welcome to attend either of these Relays in support of those participating. Each Relay begins with a Survivor’s walk. A very solemn and moving Luminaria ceremony is held when the sun goes down. The Luminaria Ceremony is a time to remember people lost to cancer and to support those currently battling the disease. The power of this ceremony lies in providing an opportunity for people to work through their grief and find hope. No matter who you are, there’s a place for you at a Relay For Life event. If you’ve been affected by cancer in any way, being part of the Relay event empowers you to make a difference and fight back. This is your opportunity to honor cancer survivors, remember those that were lost to this disease and raise funds and awareness to help end cancer forever. More team participation is welcome at both Relays.
For more information on area events and Relay for Life, visit www.relayforlife.org.
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