Be part of ‘The Tale to End Cancer’: Attend the 32nd annual Relay For Life of the Big Island

Every cancer patient, their caregivers, families and friends have a powerful story to tell.

The 8 children of the 40-something mother who was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer, which spread to her bones, neck and the lymph nodes in her neck.

The 30-something Hilo man who custom built his Harley-Davidson Sportster in honor of his mother, a Kozmic Cones legend, who died in 2004 after a battle with cancer.

The Pāhoa woman who just this year is likely celebrating turning 60 years young more than 30 years after being diagnosed with breast cancer following the delivery of her sixth and final child.

The Big Island native who was on a CBS reality competition TV show and now lives on O’ahu chased down to FaceTime with the husband of a woman who first apologized for having to fix her wig and explaining she had breast cancer.

Even an entire community came together in honor and remembrance of a former mayor who died in his early 50s following a lengthy battle with cancer, but not before he made his mark as an inspiring and dedicated public servant, husband, father, brother, uncle, teacher, friend and so much more.

“Our hope, collectively, is that by doing our part by raising awareness and funding research we will change the story by ending cancer as we know it for everyone,” said Sarah Luchenbill, the associate director of development for the California, Guam, Hawai‘i Division of the American Cancer Society.

That’s why the theme for this year’s 32nd annual Relay For Life of the Big Island is “Once Upon a Relay — The Tale to End Cancer.”

Luchenbill said Relay For Life is more than just a walk around a track for 7 hours or an event with kiddie games and food. It’s a chance to band together as a community for every life – to celebrate cancer survivors, remember loved ones lost to the scourge, and fight back.

“Money raised supports vital cancer research and patient programs like free rides to treatment, free places to stay when traveling for treatment like our Hope Lodge on O‘ahu and our 24/7 Cancer Information line, to name a few,” said Luchenbill.

Join the battle and help fight against cancer while participating in the celebration from 5 p.m. to midnight this Saturday at Francis Wong Stadium in Hilo. Admission is free, but the support you provide by participating is priceless.

The event has proven time and again throughout its more than 3 decades the power of the Big Island community.

Relay For Life of the Big Island raised a total of $218,605 to fight back against cancer and help cancer patients. As of late Thursday afternoon, nearly $129, 000 had been raised toward this year’s goal of $235,000.

Every dollar makes a difference and helps the American Cancer Society save lives. No donation is too small.

There will be multiple ways to donate during Saturday’s event, including all of the fun offered at the tent sites of the 64 participating Relay teams, including keiki games, ono snacks and grinds, activities and more.

“Our … teams are the heart of Relay!” Luchenbill said. “The American Cancer Society and the event leadership is thrilled with the turnout and thankful for their support and participation. Some team captains have participated since the first Relay in 1992 at Hilo High School.”

Other entertainment and activities will include a dunk tank, inflatable axe throwing, bouncing castle, Zumbathon, performances by Puna Taiko and Big Island Uso-Samoan Dance Club and hula displays. There also will be several food trucks on hand, and the Relay Twilight Glow Dance will light up the night — and your moves.

There will even be a mechanical bull ride to test your skills, and you can commemorate the evening by visiting the photo booth to get a pic taken with Relay For Life’s prince and princess.

“Relay provides an experience that helps you walk away knowing that you supported a good cause and had fun while doing it,” Luchenbill said.

Check out the full schedule of activities online.

Be sure to bring some cash, too, since not all teams can process credit or debit card transactions.

The centerpiece of the night is the annual Luminaria Ceremony at 9 p.m.

Luminaria bags can be decorated with the name and message to a loved one who passed away from cancer, is fighting cancer or beat cancer. During the ceremony, the lights at the stadium come down and only the lit luminaria shine as a moment of silence is observed.

You can get luminaria in advance at any branch of Hawai‘i Community Federal Credit Union, this year’s luminaria sponsor, or the night of Relay.

Following the ceremony, a giant luminaria will light up the night in front of the stage with all the glow sticks. Those in attendance are encouraged to help make the light brighter by shining their cellphone lights and flashlights.

“There are so many elements that make Relay For Life special, from the opening survivor and caregiver laps where we gather together to cheer them on to honoring loved ones at the luminaria ceremony,” Luchenbill said. “The best part is the feeling of aloha that you get from seeing the community come together, united to make a difference in the fight against cancer.”

It’s the many volunteers, team captains, survivors and their families and participants all together in one place bound together in the hope of changing the story so that one day people won’t have to hear the words “You have cancer.”

“That feeling of being a part of a bigger cause, seeing the tears and the smiles,” Luchenbill said. “Absolutely priceless.”

Relay is powered by its passionate volunteers. Luchenbill said it takes a village to put on the event. One of those volunteers is Nancy Crawford, who has given her time to help the fight against cancer for the past 18 years.

Crawford, former Hawai‘i County finance director and county employee for more than 20 years, was recently honored by Mayor Mitch Roth who presented her with a certificate of appreciation for her service to Relay For Life and the American Cancer Society.

“Mahalo, Nancy, for your dedication and commitment to our Hawai‘i Island community,” Roth said in a July 16 Facebook post after presenting Crawford with the certificate, adding that the county is proud to support the American Cancer Society and its fight for a cure.

Crawford was already a part of a Relay team when she was asked by a friend to become a volunteer for the event itself. She noted that volunteers have been with Relay For Life since it began.

“One of the things they say about the volunteers is, you know, that’s why they call it Relay ‘For Life,'” Crawford said with some laughter.

Her motivation to continue volunteering for the past nearly 20 years in particular is because of the support Relay provides for cancer research.

It’s important and meaningful work that the organization and Relay For Life, its volunteers and those who participate do.

She said the American Cancer Society does a lot, but she’s seen the difference in treatments, diagnostics and other cancer-related health care through the years that have resulted from the education and research the organization has been able to do because of fundraisers such as Relay For Life.

“So I want to help support that,” Crawford said.

It’s also a fantastic group of people. While the faces have changed through the years, without a doubt, she has had a wonderful time working and having fun with the team of volunteers.

Crawford encourages everyone to come out and be part of Relay this Saturday to feel the energy created by the community coming together for a common cause.

“When you bring a lot of people together, that energy grows and you feel it and share it,” she said. “Everyone’s here for a different reason, but we all come together and support.”

If you don’t get a chance to come out Saturday, don’t worry. There are other ways to help.

You can always donate online. There also is the upcoming Relay for Life Silent Auction, which will be live online from Aug. 21-28.

The auction website opens Aug. 14 so people can preview the items up for grabs, which will once again include some of the best donations from Big Island businesses such as hotel stays, golf, adventures and restaurant gift certificates.

Last year, the silent auction raised about $30,000.

To learn more about Relay For Life, click here or contact Luchenbill at 808-452-1511 or by email at sarah.luchenbill@cancer.org.