1st #GoldTogether for Childhood Cancer Relay For Life Team

Relay For Life of Anne Arundel County Features 1^st #GoldTogether Team in Maryland to Fight Childhood Cancer, Plus Games, Prizes, Track Walking - June is Relay Month All Around Maryland www.Relayforlife.org

WHAT: American Cancer Society Relays For Life are happening throughout Maryland during June ranging from Relay For Life of Carroll County to Relay For Life of E. Baltimore County. However, Relay For Life of Anne Arundel County is proud to have the 1st #GoldTogether team in the state to help fight pediatric cancer with the American Cancer Society.

WHO: #GoldTogether team leader, Ilana Schwartz, is the mom of Talia, age 10, who is currently undergoing treatment of a rare childhood cancer known as orbital rhabdomyosarcoma. Less than 300 children are diagnosed with this cancer in the United States each year. This is Maryland’s first #GoldTogether team. This year, the American Cancer Society is partnering nationally with #GoldTogether to fight childhood cancer. Each Relay For Life #GoldTogether for Childhood Cancer team is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of children fighting cancer by supporting, celebrating, and honoring them. Funds raised by the #GoldTogether teams support childhood cancer research, support services and awareness, as well as, cancer prevention efforts targeting children.

WHEN: For Relay For Life dates and times throughout Maryland, see www.RelayForLife.org. Relay For Life of Anne Arundel County is Saturday, June 1, 2 p.m. to Midnight., at the Earleigh Volunteer Fire Department on 161 Ritchie Highway in Severna Park, MD. Opening ceremony 2 p.m. followed by the Survivors Walk. Luminaria: 8:30 p.m. Almost all Relays have a Survivor Reception. (Note: Anne Arundel Survivor luncheon, 12:30 – 2 p.m., sponsored by PERi-PERi, Arundel Mills)

Relay For Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, staffed and coordinated by volunteers in more than 5,200 communities and 27 countries. Volunteers give of their time and effort to take action against cancer. Relays feature games, entertainment, music, Zumba and lots of booths and activities to keep participants engaged and spirits high. There are also a Survivors reception, Survivors Lap and Luminaria ceremony after sunset in which participants walk a track circled by glowing Luminaria bearing the names of loved ones lost to cancer and those fighting cancer. Luminaria may be purchased for $10. Funds raised support ACS’s mission to fund find new cures and provide free support services such as patient lodging and transportation and the 24/7 cancer information help line. Although the cancer death rate has dropped by 27 from its peak in 1991, the Society estimates that during 2019 in Maryland, 33,140 people will be newly diagnosed with cancer, and 10,780 will die of cancer. ###