Cancer survivors and friends and family walk the GCHS track during Moab’s Relay for Life on Aug. 10. Photo by Jeff Richards
The event got off to a bit of a blustery start, as rain and heavy winds threatened to dampen the fund-raising event shortly after it began on Friday evening, Aug. 10.
Although many folks had to hold on to their belongings and seek cover as the sudden storm passed by, the brief spate of bad weather soon passed, giving way to a pleasant evening.
Dozens of local cancer survivors and their caregivers walked the first lap around the track from 7 p.m. until the event officially ended 11 hours later, at 6 a.m. On Saturday, the Grand County High School football field and track were filled with Relay for Life supporters raising money to fight cancer.
Organizers said an estimated 200 people or more participated in the relay, with about three dozen individuals remaining at the event through the night and until breakfast on Saturday morning.
“I think we had around 35 people and six teams who stayed all night long,” said Kathy Randall, who served as chairman for this year’s relay. She was assisted by several committee members and helpers, including Irene Wagner, Jessica Holyoak, Tisha Ayers, Michelle Patterson, Chantell Murphy, and Kathy Turvy.
“I would really like to thank all the people who came and stayed even through the bad weather, and everyone who came on teams and just by themselves to help the relay,” Randall said.
“It was great to see that many people from the community come out,” said Wagner. “Once the wind died down, we were good to go, and everyone had a great time.”
Highlights included the luminaria ceremony, which featured everyone in the crowd holding up purple glow sticks in honor of their loved ones who have been affected by cancer. Another popular event was the dunking booth, where folks lined up to give their favorite public figures a good soaking. Among those who got dunked were Moab Mayor Dave Sakrison, Archie Walker of the Grand County Sheriff’s Dept., and local physician Dr. Ken Williams.
Randy Day served as announcer and master of ceremonies for this year’s event, while Phil Mueller of KCYN Radio broadcast the proceedings over the airwaves.
Organizers said they are already making plans to stage next year’s Relay for Life in Moab, again in mid-August.