Since Mt. Lebanon’s Relay for Life started five years ago, the event designed to benefit the American Cancer Society has collected more than $1 million in the fight against cancer. Starting at 9 a.m. May 30, relay organizers hope to add significantly to that total.
“Last year, we had 750 in the relay, which raised $180,000,” said Kristen Nuss, a relay manager from Conway.
Although many participants are part of a 15- to 20-member team, individuals can also join the event, scheduled for Mt. Lebanon High School Stadium at 155 Cochran Road. Teams can register online at relayforlife.org/pamtlebanon.
“There is no deadline to register, but we prefer teams register before the event,” Ms. Nuss said. “We already have about 50 teams. Last year, our registration fee was $10, but we’re waiving the fee this year to encourage more to participate.”
The relay is a 24-hour event, and the ultimate goal is to have at least one person per team walking the track at all times to represent that cancer never sleeps.
The event is open to the public and individuals not part of a team are welcome to participate.
“We encourage people to stay awake all night long but they can also bring tents and sleeping bags or doze in their chairs,” Ms. Nuss said. “Our motto is ’Cancer never sleeps and for one night neither will we.’ ”
Organizers strive for continuous entertainment, and between eight bands are expected to perform a variety of music. New this year is a battle of the bands in which the audience will get to pick the winner.
“Because of a noise ordinance, no band will play between 11 p.m. on Saturday until 7 a.m. Sunday,” Ms. Nuss noted.
Throughout the year, many teams organize fundraisers, such as dine and donate at local restaurants, golf outings and happy hours. During the event, some teams raise addition funds by selling food and having raffles, games and other activities. At the end of the relay, all the money is donated to the American Cancer Society.
“A lot of people think of research when you mention the American Cancer Society,” relay co-chairwoman, Kate Truver of Mt. Lebanon said. “While it does have a research component, the society also provides a lot of support services such as Road to Recovery, which provides transportation for cancer patients going for treatment, and Hope Lodge, where they can stay during treatment.”
This year, the relay is staging a special Hope Lodge lap and collecting supplies. Participants should bring supplies such as paper towels, detergents and anything needed to maintain a residency away from home. to the relay with them.
Mrs. Truver got involved five years ago and became co-chairwoman this year along with Kathy Noorbakhsh of Mt. Lebanon. The first year, her sisters, Peggy Shorts and Elizabeth Tilarski, both of Mt. Lebanon, had children in school who participated. A year previous to the first relay, their sister, Bernadette Mahon, of York, died of breast cancer.
“We were so moved by the relay that we said we had to form a team in our sister’s name,” Mrs. Truver said. “We have 20 on our team, titled ’Totally Bern,’ and raised $6,000 our first year.”
This year’s relay will have a Survivors Lap, starting at 5:30 p.m. Every cancer survivor who registers will receive a purple T-shirt and walk one lap. A complimentary dinner for each survivor and one guest provided by The Other Place with dessert by Life is Sweet will follow the lap.
When the sun goes down, relay volunteers will light luminaria around the stadium that have been personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer. People can purchase a luminaria for a loved one with a $10 donation.
“We’ll have a related ceremony that can get quite emotional following the lighting of the luminaria,” Ms. Nuss said.
“The main thing I’d like to stress is that we encourage anyone in the area to come and experience the relay,” Mrs. Truver said. “It’s an amazing event that gets a lot of community support.”
Details: 412-919-1121.
Dave Zuchowski, freelance writer: suburbanliving@post-gazette.com.
First Published: May 15, 2015, 4:00 a.m.
