American Cancer Society Holds Early Bird Event for Relay for Life in Wakulla

The American Cancer Society held an “Early Bird” team registration and announced the theme for the 2009 Relay for Life event, scheduled April 18-19 on the Wakulla High School track.  The 2009 theme is “Spotlight on the Oscars -- A Purple Carpet Event” and participants will be encouraged to decorate campsites and wear costumes that celebrate all things Hollywood.  Event chair Dalynda Vause said, “Think Hollywood and the Academy Awards, Oscar Night and everything that goes with it.”

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life began in Tacoma, Washington, as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, wanted to enhance the income of his local American Cancer Society office.  He decided to personally raise money for the fight by doing something he enjoyed—running marathons.

In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent a grueling 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma for more than 83 miles.  Throughout the night, friends paid $25 to run or walk 30 minutes with him.  He raised $27,000 to fight cancer.  That first year, nearly 300 of Dr. Klatt's friends, family, and patients watched as he ran and walked the course.

{sidebar id=1}While he circled the track those 24 hours, he thought about how others could take part.  He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer.  Months later he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.  Dr. Klatt’s vision continues today when hundreds of communities across the nation annually hold their own Relay for Life events to fight cancer.  In Wakulla, teams walk the Wakulla High School track, ensuring that each team has a member walking throughout the event.
The 2009 Wakulla Relay for Life has made a strong start.  Twelve teams took advantage of the “Early Bird” event:  Ameris Bank, Crawfordville United Methodist Church, Riversprings Middle School, Shadeville Elementary, Spirit of Hope, Wakulla Bank, Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office Volunteers, Wakulla Pre-Kindergarten, Links in Life, Wal-Mart, Hot Mama’s, and the Relay Committee Team.

2009 Committee Chairs were also named at the “Early Bird” event.  Wakulla Bank Assistant Vice President Dalynda Vause will chair this year’s Relay for Life and she has assembled a veteran crew to work with her:  Vice Chair Susan Jones of Blue Water Realty;  Team Development Chair Linda Stalvey; Team Retention Chair Darren Webb of Capital City Bank; Team Recruitment Chair Carolyn Kent of Wakulla County Schools; Survivorship Chair Tara Kieser of Wakulla Bank; Sponsorship Chair Cothee Stalvey; Advocacy Chair Gail Finley, longtime WCSO volunteer; Mission Education Chair and retired educator Queen Webster; and Accounting Chair Tara Sanders of Ameris Bank.  Vice Chair Susan Jones will also serve as Entertainment Chair. Wakulla High teacher Rachel Sutz Pienta will serve as Publicity Chair.  Additional committee leaders include Dale Litchfield, Hospitality Chair; Department of Health employee Amelia Morse, Day of Event Coordinator; and Wakulla County Schools District employee Jim Griner, Logistics Chair. Wakulla County Schools employee Louann Crum will serve as Luminaria Chair.  Mary Katherine Westmark of Wakulla.com will serve as official event photographer.

The Relay for Life Kick Off event date will be 6 PM Thursday, November 13th, 2008 at Wakulla Bank in Crawfordville.  The community is welcome and teams may register to participate at the event.  For more information or to register a team, please contact Linda Stalvey at lstalvey@embarqmail.com.

- Rachel Sutz Pienta 

This article originally published on September 12, 2008.

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