The 27th Annual Relay For Life of Dawson County promises to raise awareness and offer hope to all those who have been diagnosed with cancer, the second leading cause of death in the United States.
“We have chosen 2021-Our Year of Hope for a reason,” said Mary Harbur, event leadership, of Gothenburg. “Hope can be a guiding force in our lives. With hope, we can see opportunities and can choose a path to lead to something positive. Hope is our super power.”
Everyone is welcome to attend the event which promises celebration and emotional ceremonies, as well as good food, great music and lots of fun. Dollars generated by Relay are donated to the American Cancer Society for research, education, advocacy and patient services. The current fundraising total on the web page is at $12,663 with more expected to be added closer to the event.
Leading up to the event will be the Online Silent Auction with a wide variety of donated items available. The user-friendly link to the Silent Auction is www.32auctions.com/Rfldawsoncounty and will start at 8 p.m. Monday, July 26 and go through Thursday, August 5 at 11:45 p.m. Go to the upper left corner to log in or create an account to bid on items. Items may be paid for and picked up during the Relay on Friday.
On Friday, the Relay begins at 5 p.m. with a survivor/caregiver dinner of pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, baked beans, chips, cookie and water. At 6 p.m., the meal opens up to the public for a free will donation. Participants can “grab-and-go,” but are encouraged to stay and participate in Relay. There will be seating at picnic tables or in the senior center. Lawn chairs are welcome.
Opening ceremonies begin at 6 p.m. with State Senator Matt Williams of Gothenburg as guest speaker. Carter Kincheloe of Gothenburg will sing the national anthem. Music for the event will be provided by deejay Steve Clouatre of North Platte who returns for his fifth year.
The Survivor/Caregiver lap will follow led by two Honorary Chairpersons, Ron King of Lexington and Michelle Stevens of Kearney, who teaches school in Gothenburg. All cancer survivors are invited to take part in this celebration of victory over cancer and receive a free gift at the survivor table. No registration required.
A Relay Corn-Hole Tournament will be in full swing with on-site registration. The suggested donation is $25 per team of two throwers. Prizes will be awarded.
Two Gothenburg vendors will be on-site and will donate part of their sales to Relay. Those attending can purchase delicious drinks at The Coffee House trailer or check out the Mylah Rose Boutique booth.
Luminaria will be available on site for a donation of $10. Those attending are welcome to walk the luminaria trail and read the names of loved ones. Each bag represents a celebration of a cancer survivor’s victory or a memory of a loved one lost to cancer. Candles in the bags will be illuminated at dusk for the Luminaria Ceremony. Cancer survivors and others attending are invited to share their cancer stories.
Relay ends with a Lap of Hope at 11 p.m. as those remaining at Relay renew their commitment to fighting cancer and keeping hope for a cancer free future.
For more information, contact Mary Harbur at 308-529-2205. Donations can be made online at www.relayforlife.org/dawsoncone Follow Relay on Facebook for updates, photos and more stories at www.facebook.com/RFLDawson
