Preparations for Brown County’s Relay for Life are coming together as organizers get set for their annual event at Gordon Wood Stadium Friday night to raise money for the American Cancer Society.  This year’s event has a goal of raising $80,000 for cancer awareness and research.

The event will be dedicated to the memory of Cade Boyle, who was just 9-years-old when he passed away shortly after last year’s relay in June after a brave battle against Ewing’s Sarcoma Cancer.

Approximately 38 registered teams will begin setting up Friday afternoon to get ready for the event that will be packed with activities, food, and a silent auction.   This year’s Relay for Life will be held Friday, June 6 from 7 PM-7 AM at Gordon Wood Stadium in Brownwood and is themed “We Can Be Heroes.” Many of the team booths will be decorated to the theme which is related to superheroes.

The relay will officially begin at 7 PM with adult survivor Brandy Bishop and child survivor 6-year-old Yelana Martin each arriving at the event via helicopter. At about 7:30 PM recognitions will be made from the football field which will then lead into the survivor lap.  All cancer survivors in attendance will start the Relay with their traditional first lap around the track.

Hamburgers will be served around 8 PM thanks to Guardian EMS.  The food is free to everyone in attendance as they enjoy the Relay for Life event.   Other fun activities will also begin about that time along with various fundraisers hosted by participating teams.

At 10 PM, all the lights will go down and the luminaries will be lit as the names are read by Dallas Huston. To purchase a luminaria in memory or in honor of a loved one, please contact Rick Phelps at 325-200-1276.

Around midnight, pizza from Little Caesars will be delivered, and breakfast will be provided around 5:30 AM from Whataburger followed by the closing prayer.

Numerous silent auction items will be available to help raise money for the event.  Those wishing to donate an auction item may contact Kim Peterson at Heartland Mall.

A survivor dinner will be hosted Thursday at 6:00 PM at the Victory Life Academy Chapel to honor cancer survivors before the Relay event.  This dinner is free to any cancer survivor and a guest, no RSVP is required to attend.  A meal including desert, entertainment and games will be provided.

For more info about 2014 Relay for Life, call Tammy Robinson at 325-642-1319.

Pictured above are Survivors during the first lap of last year’s relay event.