Relay for Life marks 14th run in Elgin
Many cancer survivors and others affected by cancer marched through the halls of the Elgin Middle School on Saturday for the 14th annual Elgin Relay for Life.
Team Rico walked in this year's Relay for Life in support of Cecil Rico, who was diagnosed with cancer last year.
Little Cause-Players, a group of students from the University of Texas at Austin who bring joy to children with mental and pediatric illnesses by dressing as princesses and superheroes, visited the Relay for Life in Elgin.
John Borsi (left) and Linda Green (right) light a Luminaria in memory of Kenneth Green, John's grandfather and Linda's husband, who they lost to cancer. The Luminaria Ceremony at Relay for Life events honors those who have died due to cancer, have overcome cancer or are currently battling cancer with candles inside of bags that bear special messages.
Relay for Life in Elgin has been growing strong fighting against cancer for the past 14 years.
This year’s event began with an opening ceremony and a pep rally this past Saturday. The event was originally scheduled to be held at the Elgin Elementary School track on 11th Street, but due to the unpredictable weather, the ceremony was relocated to the Elgin Middle School. Elgin relay for life has been growing strong fighting against cancer.
Krista Marx, one of the volunteers, and other team volunteers came together that day to raise awareness against cancer. Marx said each team comes together to help fundraise for Relay for Life. Planning for this event does take a lot of work, but she believes it’s all worth the sacrifice. It gives the volunteers and the community a chance to come together and celebrate the fight against “stupid cancer.”
Marx and all the volunteers believe in the cause. They volunteer year-round to raise money to help to find a cure against cancer. Everything that is raised goes back to research.
At the event was John Anthony Borsi, a young man who has been volunteering with Relay for Life for four years. He said his reason for being there was to remember his grandfather, Kenneth Green, who passed away with cancer. He feels that by volunteering, he is fighting back for his grandfather.
The people who came to support this event got a special treat with performances by the Elgin Middle School choir and the Chubby Knuckle Choir, followed by a beautiful dance by Ballet Folklorica. There were also princesses, superheroes and Stars Wars characters who came by to take photos with the children and parents.
At the end was the Luminaria Ceremony, which gave people the opportunity to light a candle to remember their loved ones who passed away from cancer.
The event was a success! Because of people who gave and showed their support, the Relay for Life team was able to spread the message that cancer doesn’t have dominate us.
To find out how you can get involved, visit www.relayforlife.org/elgintx.