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Teams, Survivors Recruited For October Relay For Life
RELAY

A new location, a new look, but the goal remains the same: raise money and awareness in the fight against cancer.

The Relay For Life of Greater Stanislaus County is set for a 24-hour, in-person event, Oct. 9 and 10, at John Thurman Field in Modesto.

Combining individual Relays previously staged in the communities of Oakdale, Modesto and Turlock, the ‘Greater Stanislaus County’ event will also include teams from Escalon, Riverbank, Valley Home and more. The combining of three separate events into one, and providing a centrally located venue in Modesto, is expected to mean an increase in teams participating as well as those cancer survivors attending the event.

The next Team Captain’s meeting is scheduled in Oakdale, at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, July 14 in the large conference room at the Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Avenue.

All team captains and team members are encouraged to attend, with information provided about fundraising opportunities, the various ‘day of’ activities that will be featured and the chance to purchase luminaria bags in honor of or in memory of a cancer warrior.

This year’s theme is Disney-based, Wish Upon a Cure, and a goal of raising $100,000 for the American Cancer Society to benefit research, advocacy and patient services has been set.

As of Tuesday, July 6, there were 35 teams registered and the money raised so far stood at just over $39,365.

The local Con Agra Foods in Oakdale has signed on with a huge sponsorship, named as this year’s Presenting Sponsor for the Greater Stanislaus County event.

The return to a full 24-hour Relay For Life was voted on earlier this year; several special events are also in the works for the Oct. 9 and 10 gathering including a classic car show, movie night, special recognition for cancer survivors, a Ms. Relay pageant and more.

Anyone interested in joining the effort or learning more about Relay For Life is welcome to attend the Team Captain meeting in Oakdale on July 14. The meetings are rotating among the main communities, with the June session hosted in Modesto and plans for the August meeting in Turlock.

Planning is also underway for a pre-event gathering, a Survivor Luncheon, to be held at Bloomingcamp Ranch just east of Oakdale in September; more details on that event will be announced soon.