Community Corner

Image Gallery: Rain No Match for Fighters Against Cancer at Burlington Relay

The 2012 Burlington Relay for Life has raised $143,000 with more donations still coming in.

Can rain keep warriors again cancer home for the weekend?

Absolutely not.

Varsity Field at was alive with activity this weekend as members of the Burlington community came together despite the rain to raise money to fight cancer.

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The rain started early Saturday morning, but it wasn’t enough to keep away the many die-hard teams that participated in Saturday’s Relay For Life. There were 62 teams set up and ready do go at Opening Ceremonies.

The evening started with a few speeches, the BurlingtonHigh School chorus sang the National Anthem, and then survivors, caregivers and teams took the track to walk from 6 pm until 6 am. There were teams walking the track all night despite the rain, keeping up the tradition and spirit of the Relay for Life.

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“The idea behind Relay For Life is "Cancer doesn't sleep", well neither do we,” explained co-chair of Burlington Relay Tiffany Freeman. “We are sacrificing one night of sleep for people who don't have a choice on getting cancer.  In my mind this is our way of letting all of those people who have been diagnosed that we are there for them, we feel for them and we will do what we can to take the disease away.”

Theme laps such as Hawaiian, Sports, Toga still took place with many people participating and donning costumes. Midnight movie was shown under the tent that housed the survivor dinner and a donut eating contest happened at 4:00 am.

Many stayed overnight and when it was not their turn to walk, they took shelter in their tents or under their canopies.

At closing ceremonies at 5:30 a.m. on Sunday, $143,000 was raised from Burlington, with more coming in from on-site fundraisers and last minute donations.

Everyone who attended thought the event was a big success and is ready to start planning for next year – in the hopes for sunshine. The Planning Committee for Relay For Life of Burlington would like to thank everyone who participated, no matter how big or how small – your help made a difference in making this event a huge success.

The Burlington Relay for Life was coordinated by Tiffany Freeman and Cheryl Shafman with special help from Julie Quinn, among many other volunteers who gave time and effort to make the event a success.

Did you take your own pictures at the Relay? Feel free to add them to this story by clicking the Upload Pictures button.


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