Community Welcome to Relay For Life of Howard County at Hammond High School

          Relay For Life of Howard County at Hammond High School will be held June 3 and 4.  The free, fun-filled overnight event is designed to celebrate cancer survivorship and raise money for the American Cancer Society.  Everyone is welcome.  Hammond High School is located at 8800 Guilford Road in Columbia.

             Opening ceremonies start at 6:30 p.m. June 3.  The Survivors’ Lap will follow Opening Ceremonies.  During this lap, survivors walk the track cheered by family and friends.  

          A Silent Auction will be held from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. on June 3. Winners will be announced at 11 p.m. 

            A Luminaria Ceremony will begin at dusk.  Luminaria are glowing bags that appear to be paper sacks filled with sand and candles, but every bag represents a life that battled cancer. During the solemn ceremony in which bagpipers play, a moment of silence is held, and a poem is read, participants remember those lost to cancer and support people who are still fighting the disease.  

        Children under 10 can participate in the Kids’ Walk.  Kids’ Walk registration begins at 6 p.m. on June 3 or can be done prior to Relay on the website, www.howardrfl.com. Children’s activities (which include coloring, games and hula hoops) begin at 6 p.m. and the Kids’ Walk starts at 7:15 p.m.  Kids may raise money before the event.  Each child who raises at least $50 will receive a Relay T-Shirt.

           Closing Ceremonies begin at 6 a.m. on June 4. 

            Teams raise money before and at the event by asking for donations or holding fundraisers.  During the event, teams camp out and take turns walking around a track, with each team trying to keep at least one member on the track throughout the night to symbolize that cancer never sleeps.                   

          A Survivors’ Reception in Hammond High’s cafeteria from 5 to 6:30 p.m. June 3 is also part of Relay, but is open only to cancer survivors.  Each survivor is welcome to bring one guest.  Registration before the reception is requested.   Registration begins at 4:30 p.m. June 3 or can be done on the website, www.howardrfl.com.  

             For more information, call 410-781-4316, visit the website www.howardrfl.com or e-mail hcrelay@hotmail.com.