Berkeley-Lacey Relay For Life Coming Up This Weekend

BAYVILLE, NJ - Cancer never sleeps.

That's the mantra of many of those who participate in the Relay for Life of Berkeley/Lacey each year at Veterans Park.

And chances are they will be saying it or thinking it this weekend, when the annual event begins on Saturday.

Relay for Life, a worldwide program designed to raise funds to fight cancer and raise awareness of the facts about cancer, centers around a 24-hour fundraising walk. It was first started in 1985 in Washington State by a doctor who sought to raise awareness and funds to fight cancer, Relay for Life now has more than 4 million participants annually in 20 countries.

The local Relay for Life this weekend is a joint event for Berkeley and Lacey and draws participants and volunteers from both towns.

This year's event at Veterans Park will start at noon, with a luncheon for cancer survivors and their caregivers.

The opening ceremonies will start at 2 p.m. Then the walking will start.

The highlight of the event is the luminaria ceremony at 10 p.m. Luminaria bags are transformed and illuminated after dark. Each luminaria is personalized with a name, photo, message or drawing in memory or honor of a friend or loved one who has been affected by cancer. Luminaria can also be dedicated in support of a Relay participant. Each luminaria candle represents a person.

Berkeley Mayor Carmen F. Amato Jr. will be there, as he is every year. He walks for his father, Carmen Sr., who died after a long battle with adrenal cancer.He fought for 20 years, through nine major surgeries, before he died in 2003.SubscribeThis year's theme is "Carnival for the Cure." All proceeds of the Relay for Life of Berkeley/Lacey will benefit the American Cancer Society.

There will be plenty of food, crafts, activities and entertainment durin the event.

The Berkeley-Lacey event is still looking for teams, volunteers, and event sponsors. If interested, go to our website at www.relayforlife.org/berkeleynj, email rflberkeleylacey@gmail.com, or call 732-292-4241.

Image: American Cancer Society