CULLMAN, Ala. – Relay For Life proves year after year that success comes to those who work together as a community and adapt to their circumstances. Due to the extensive land development around Depot Park, event coordinator Helen Allen and her team were challenged to secure a suitable venue in a short time. With the new Desperation Church facility across from the park having been completed, Allen and her team collaborated with church leadership, who generously offered its new facility for the event, which took place Saturday, April 27.
With the venue secured, Relay For Life 2024 was ready to commence. This year’s event featured an impressive car show with a large turnout, local vendors and food trucks, Vinemont cheerleaders who brought their face-painting mastery to adults and children alike and a beautiful congregation of survivors who shared their stories of years of battle and triumph over cancer. Filled with a strong sense of community spirit, and incredible local support, Relay For Life 2024 proved an instant success.
The heart of the event was the survivors’ assembly, where survivors courageously shared their cancer journeys. They detailed the types of cancer they had battled and the lengths of their struggles, with experiences ranging from one to over 40 years. These powerful stories underscored the event’s purpose and highlighted the profound personal impacts of cancer.
Following their testimonies, survivors participated in the Survivor’s Lap, a symbolic act that celebrated their resilience and victories against cancer. As friends, family and the community cheered them on, survivors took their laps with their heads held high, glowing with the resilience earned from conquering the beast that is cancer.
Teams from various backgrounds joined in, displaying banners with catchy slogans like Team CCSO’s “Never Ever Ever Getting Back With Cancer” and a Scooby-Doo-themed team’s “Cancer is the real monster.” Teams had different booths set up with interactive games and ways for attendees to participate and win prizes, all while giving back to Relay For Life.
The evening concluded with the luminaria ceremony, where bags bearing names were lit in honor of those still battling cancer and in memory of those lost.
Luminaria bags glow in honor and memory of those touched by cancer. (Helen Allen)
With Relay For Life 2024 having been a resounding success, Allen reflected on the event with satisfaction, noting the rapid planning and community effort that made it all possible.
“The event went great, especially considering we only had three days to determine what we could do to make the event happen. Thanks to a great committee and the help we had from so many others to bring it together. We thank all who played a part in helping at the last moment,” said Allen.
Allen continued, “First, I want to say thank you to the survivors who showed up for the event and allowed us to honor you and play a small part in your journey. You are the reason Relay For Life is so important, and we are forever grateful for you.”
Allen also thanked everyone involved, saying, “So many thanks to the committee, the teams, the sponsors, the community, the speakers, those who brought their cars, those attending our event and media from all sources. Without the support of all, Relay cannot happen. Without Relays, there would be less cancer research and more losing their battle. So, thank you to anyone who helped, attended and donated. THANK YOU.”
For more information on Relay For Life and the impact it makes, visit relayforlife.org/cullmanal. For further questions about future Relay For Life events, email Allen at helenma1941@gmail.com.
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