Our Opinion: Rally around Relay

Relay for Life is one of our favorite annual fundraisers, and it's again being crippled by COVID-19.

But it's not being canceled this year - as it was last year - and we hope you'll support it in any way you can.

Fewer teams signed up this year, fundraising is down, and fewer people sponsored luminaria.

While not unexpected, it's still disappointing. The longtime local event typically brings our community together with a celebratory atmosphere. It celebrates the many people who have beaten cancer and it remembers those who have succumbed to it.

It also raises money to fund research for better treatment and helping cancer patients get the support they need.

In 2019, the tornado that swept through Jefferson City disrupted the event. In 2020, it was canceled due to COVID-19.

This year, it's being held, but with a different look.

It will start at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 6 in the parking lot of Capital Mall, 3600 Country Club Drive. As we recently reported, vendors selling T-shirts, tea, cookies and other items are expected to begin activities about 6 p.m.

As we recently reported, this year's event will be a drive-thru relay that will consist of survivor recognition, luminaria ceremony and sponsor recognition.

Rod Smith will again act as emcee. Local radio station NASH FM 100.1 will broadcast the event so participants can listen from their cars.

The relay will stream its annual luminaria ceremony and slideshow on Facebook.

"We're still hitting all those big relay moments. After the event is over, people will be able to leave their cars and go look at their (luminaria) bag," event lead Lesley Trippensee said in our recent story.

We all know someone who has had cancer. Many of us have loved ones who have died from it. And there's a good chance someone in each of our families will face it at some point.

The good news is that, due to fundraising events such as Relay for Life, cancer is more beatable than ever before. We don't have a cure yet, but science is making real progress.

That's why we encourage you to participate in any way you can or at least donate to the cause.

News Tribune