Sometimes it only takes hope and a vision. When Dr. Gordy Klatt began his first lap around a track in Tacoma, Washington in May 1985 to raise money to help the American Cancer Society save lives, he began Relay For Life, a global movement.

Forty years later, Relay For Life has grown to become the American Cancer Society’s premier fundraising event and has expanded to include more than 30 countries around the globe. Douglas County is celebrating this milestone with “Don’t Stop Believing in a Cure,” a 1980s-themed event at Rock Chalk Park, from 6 to 11 p.m. on Friday, June 6.

Volunteers make it reality

The combined efforts of the American Cancer Society staff and dedicated local volunteers make the Relay For Life happen every spring. In Douglas County, a 14-person event leadership team is headed up by four volunteer chairpersons and Carolyn Zeller, the local ACS Senior Development Manager.

“Volunteers are the reason Relay is so successful. They’re walking beacons of hope, giving their time and talents to ensure ACS events are successful, and are the true representation of the community’s collective fight for a future without cancer,” Zeller said. “I am so grateful for all of our Relay For Life volunteers and for the countless number of lives they’ve helped save as a result of the time they donate.”

Relay For Life volunteers have a multitude of reasons for getting involved in the fight against cancer, and many are very personal. Alexis Soby, a chair for this year’s event, is one of those volunteers.

“I relay because of my sister. Having her diagnosed with breast cancer a little more than three years ago really kicked me into gear,” Soby said. “We’ve had many other family members who’ve battled cancer, but she was the one who really got to me. I want to find a cure in our lifetime to make sure that no one else has to go through what she did.”

Maggie Fieger is a longtime volunteer. She has lost family members who battled various forms of the disease, including both of her parents who died of lung cancer.

“Every year that we relay, we raise funds that go to cancer research,” Fieger said. “Every improvement in cancer care is worth the time we spend to raise money.”

More than just laps around a track

The main events at this year’s Relay For Life kick off at 6 p.m., but things start a bit earlier for some with a dinner at 5 p.m. for cancer survivors and caregivers. The menu features food donated by Biemer’s BBQ, Texas Roadhouse, Reser’s Foods, Nothing Bundt Cakes and Eileen’s Colossal Cookies. Survivors are encouraged to sign up at relay.org/douglasks. Park in the north lot and use the elevator to access the event space inside Rock Chalk Park, where the free dinner will be held.

Formal events kick off on the track at 6:45 p.m. with an opening ceremony followed by a survivor lap around the track for those who are currently battling or have survived their cancer. Caregivers join in for the next lap and after that, open walking begins.

The celebration of 40 years of Relay For Life also pays homage to the 80s and provides fun for folks of all ages. Local band The BoDells will rock the stage from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m., followed by an air guitar contest at 8:45.

This year’s event features a Kid’s Zone with bounce houses and a touch a truck event with first responder vehicles. Food trucks including Fugi’s Tacos, Hazel’s Hut and This N’ That will also be on hand. An online silent auction opens 10 a.m. on June 2 and ends at 9 p.m. on Relay Day, June 6. View and bid on auction items at 32auctions.com/RFLDG25.

Light the night

One of the main features of Relay For Life occurs just after sunset with a luminaria ceremony. Paper bags dedicated to someone’s memory or in honor of a survivor line the track throughout the evening and at 9:30 p.m., the bags are illuminated using battery-powered candles. Lights in the facility are turned off and teams spend a period of time walking quiet laps around the track.

“For many Relayers, the most powerful part of the event is the luminaria ceremony. It symbolizes a cancer patient as they begin the unknown, dark and scary journey as they battle cancer. The luminaria bags light the way and remind us that there is hope and that we can all come together to support each other and fight back against cancer,” Zeller said.

You can purchase a luminaria for this year’s event at Emprise Bank, 1121 Wakarusa Drive. Bags are $10 and all funds support the American Cancer Society.

You can also be a part of the fundraising effort. Pick up multiple bags and give friends and family a chance to decorate and add a name to a bag for a $10 donation. Turn the money and the bags in the night of Relay For Life. Donations are also accepted through the American Cancer Society fundraising app. Bring canned goods to Relay to place inside the bags and keep them upright, and we’ll donate them to Just Food after the event.

It’s not too late to get involved in Relay For Life on June 6. Visit relay.org/douglasks to join the relay or donate to the American Cancer Society. To give your time and volunteer at the event, email Autumn.Bishop@lmh.org.

— Autumn Bishop is the marketing manager and content strategist at LMH Health, which is a sponsor of the Lawrence Journal-World Health section.

Here’s the schedule for the Douglas County Relay For Life on June 6.

5 p.m.

Survivor dinner

6 p.m.

Food trucks, Kid Zone

Auction, Information tent and Luminaria sales open

6:15 p.m.

Jazzercise

6:30 p.m.

Sugar Boo Cotton Candy (until 8:30 p.m.)

6:45 p.m.

Opening Ceremony

7 p.m.

Survivor Lap, Caregiver Lap

7:30-8:30 p.m.

The BoDell’s band

8 p.m.

Bubbles to Heaven

8:30 p.m.

Team Lap

8:45 p.m.

Air Guitar Contest

9 p.m.

Auction closes, CC’s Cookie Lap

9:30 p.m.

Luminaria Ceremony

10 p.m.

Auction Pick Up

10:45 p.m.

Closing Ceremony