Some of the Special Activities
Survivor’s
Celebration (11:00 am Saturday): Cancer survivors young
and old from the community are invited to begin the Relay by walking
the survivor’s victory lap. This opening to the event is a
declaration to the community that we are here to celebrate cancer
survivorship. After the lap, survivors and their caregivers are
treated to a brunch hosted by Windham Hospital (noon-12:45). Survivors can relax,
mingle and learn more about programs and services that are available. Survivor check-in starts at 9:00 am. Survivors should RSVP ahead of time by contacting Nancy Austin at 860 228-3395 or aataustin@hotmail.com.
Fight Back Ceremony (1 pm Saturday): Take a pledge to do something to help fight cancer, whether it is making healthy lifestyle choices to volunteering. A special ceremony will be followed by a "Fight Back Lap".
Children's Lap (4:00 pm on Saturday)
This culminates the organized children's activities that take place from 1:30-4:00. The children take a pledge to make healthy lifestyle choices, and to ensure others to do the same. Then we cheer them on as they take their special lap.
Children's Activities (1:30-4:00 pm on Saturday)
Informative games, arts & crafts and other activities take place that allow the children to learn about healthy lifestyle choices, and to show their support for cancer patients and their caregivers. This is not a babysittting service. It is an interactive area for children to become more fully involved in the Relay.
Luminaria
Service (8:30 p.m. Saturday): A torch dedication
initiates the start of the luminaria service. All of the stadium
lights are extinguished and we hold our luminaria service. Lit candles
are placed in bags bearing
the names of people who are cancer survivors or have succumbed to
the disease. There is a musical tribute as each name is scrolled onto a screen. Everyone takes some quiet time to look at the
luminarias and to consider the heartfelt stories behind them. The
light from the luminarias keeps team members company throughout
the night, lighting their way along the track until sunrise. A special
ceremony will take place Sunday morning during which the bags will
be emptied and collected. There is also a special sunrise interfaith
ceremony.
In order for names to be included in the scrolling tribute, luminarias must be purchased by 6:00 pm on Saturday, October 16th. ( Luminarias will continue to be sold until 7:00 pm, but will not be displayed on the screen.) |