Pembroke Pines, Miramar team up for annual cancer charity event. Here are details
Hundreds of Pembroke Pines and Miramar residents will soon hit the pavement for one shared goal: to raise money for cancer research and honor those who’ve survived the disease.
Relay for Life returns to southwest Broward on Friday, March 20, at Pembroke Pines Charter High School’s athletic field — 17189 Sheridan St. — for the American Cancer Society race’s 28th edition in the area.
The free event kicks off at 5 p.m. with a Survivor Dinner open to registered survivors and caregivers and is followed by a 6 p.m. opening ceremony with performances, donor check presentations and a Medaling Ceremony in recognition of those who’ve battled cancer and their caregivers.
A “first lap” is scheduled for 7 p.m. and invites all those who “ever fought or know someone who fought cancer” to walk the track in solidarity and cheer for survivors in attendance.
That’s followed by a two-hour Torches of Hope and Luminaria Ceremony where homemade paper laterns will be lit and a moment of silence observed for loved ones who’ve lost their life to cancer.
A “Miz Relay Contest” — an all-male pageant where contestants don dresses and answer questions to fundraise — takes place at 10 p.m.
Participants are welcome to tour team booths, enter raffles, and enjoy treats and prizes after the headlining events. Children can explore a Kids Zone tailored to keep them entertained.
The event — sponsored by the cities of Pembroke Pines and Miramar — aims to raise $100,000 by the time runners cross the finish line.
Relay roots, fundraising efforts
Relay for Life traces its start to 1980s Tacoma, Washington, when Dr. Gordon “Gordy” Klatt — a colorectal surgeon and American Cancer Society volunteer — married his love of marathon running and fundraising for cancer research together.
In May 1985, Klatt determined to spend 24 hours running and walking around a track in Baker Field at the University of Puget Sound. Over 300 attendees came out to support him and were invited to pledge $25 if they wanted to join him in his race for half an hour.
Klatt logged 83 miles — and raised $27,000 for the American Cancer Society — by the end of the event, kickstarting the Relay for Life annual tradition.
This year, 19 teams and 216 participants will hit Pembroke Pines Charter High School’s track and over $31,000 has been raised as of March 9 to fund cancer research and advocacy as well as support patient care programs.
Students and faculty at MAST Academy are the highest group donors, garnering $5,961, and 18-year-old PPCHS student Emma-Jane Hinton — a brain cancer survivor — is the individual who has raked in the most funds, with $2,302 as of March 9.
For more information or to sign up, visit Relay for Life’s local website or call 954-392-2119.
