Friday night start for Moses Lake Relay

MOSES LAKE — Teams will be walking all night around the Moses Lake High School track Friday to raise money for cancer research and to support cancer patients. The Moses Lake Relay for Life kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, and teams will be on the track through 7 a.m. Saturday.

Moses Lake Relay 2016 has signed up 23 teams, with a goal of raising $100,000, said organizer Shannon Poff. Cancer survivors lead the first lap, then teams walk throughout the night, with one team member on the track at all times.

Fundraising continues through Aug. 31, and during the relay donations will be accepted “all the way through the end.” All money raised goes to support American Cancer Society support programs for patients and survivors and ACS-supported research.

There’s not really a theme for 2016, Poff said, but people should break out their Hawaiian shirts and think luau. It’s a good cause but a lot of walking, so there will be events all night long.

“Every single lap is something different,” Poff said. A talent show is scheduled, and there’s live music. “People dress up.” There’s a pie-eating contest and a duct tape fashion show, among many others, and “dancing all through the night.” And “pretty much every hour we have some kind of game going on.”

There’s a children’s activity area, with a bouncy house, games and activities including jump ropes and volleyball. "It's going to be quite the fun event."

The luminary ceremony is scheduled for 10 p.m. Luminaries are candles in paper bags, purchased as memorials and encouragement. They line the track, and at least for one lap walkers circle the field lit only by the luminaries.

The fight against cancer is important because there’s a lot of cancer out there, Poff said. “It’s touching so many people.” Family and friends have been affected – and that research and support will help future patients, possibly even herself someday, she said.

Proceeds are used for research, some at the University of Washington, and programs to support patients, said Kimberly Furgeson of the American Cancer Society. In Grant County that includes the “Look Good, Feel Better” program, which provides wigs and head coverings, makeup advice and style tips to patients undergoing cancer treatment. Participants meet at Samaritan Healthcare.

The Relay for Life also supports the “Road to Recovery” program, where volunteers are matched up with people needing a ride to cancer treatments, Furgeson said. The ACS sponsors a program that provides accommodations to cancer patients who must travel long distances for treatment.

In 2015 "I walked continually all night long," Poff said. By morning "they had me in a wheelchair. It was worth it."

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.