Events and Activities : 2021 Benton County Shelter In Relay For Life: Sunday, June 6th

The American Cancer Society Relay For Life of Benton County, a virtual event, will be held Sunday, June 6th, 2021, at 5:00 PM. This date is also the 34th annual National Cancer Survivors Day. National Cancer Survivors Day is a CELEBRATION for those who have survived, an INSPIRATION for those recently diagnosed, a gathering of SUPPORT for families, and an OUTREACH to the community.

Our fundraising might look different right now, but in 2020, more than half a million Relay For Life participants contributed $66.7 million for cancer research, care, advocacy, and support - during a pandemic! It's safe to say that many American Cancer Society programs were only able to continue through the pandemic because communities stepped up in big ways. The pandemic has had a devastating impact on life-saving cancer screening rates, which dropped by 90% for some cancers. Your fundraising for and participation in Relay For Life will be a vital part of reminding millions of people that timely screenings help catch cancer when it's most treatable as well as supporting research and other services. Relay may still look a little different this year, but the purpose is as strong as ever.

Here are some ways we can all get involved:

Walk and Make an Impact

**Individuals, families, neighborhoods, and teams are encouraged to commit to walking a set amount of time or miles in honor and in memory of loved ones. Wear Relay shirts from past events, or come up with a unique theme for your team of walkers.

** Raise funds and awareness by reaching out and asking people to take part or to consider donating to your efforts; pledges can be taken for miles or total time walked.

**Consider making your own donation; every dollar counts!

Celebrate Survivors in Your Life

**Call and/or send cards to special survivors.

**Walk in their honor.

**Take pledges to walk in their honor.

**Create paper ribbons in the particular colors for each specific cancer to hang in windows or on doors. Use sidewalk chalk to decorate driveways and sidewalks.

Remember and Honor-Outdoor Luminaria Ceremony

**Create your own luminarias and set them on your porches, driveways, and sidewalks on the evening of Sunday, June 6th.

** Raise funds by creating luminarias for donations.

Every dollar makes an impact! Your donations help fund groundbreaking cancer research, patient care programs, and can make a difference in communities like ours. With every donation, you are helping the American Cancer Society save lives. Please consider making a donation of any amount; donations are welcome through August:

** American Cancer Society

ATTN: Relay For Life of Benton County-Eva Bartelt,Event Treasurer

Chelsea Savings Bank

PO Box 67

Van Horne, IA 52346

** Online at www.relayforlife.org/bentoncountyia

Many thanks to all our wonderful sponsors: Belle Plaine Rotary Club, Bank Iowa, Shelly's Sweets, Thys Automotive Family, Watkins Savings Bank, Iowa Mold and Engineering, Friedman Farm Supply, Ollinger Garage Doors, Atkins Savings Bank, Johnson Insurance, Keystone Nursing Care Center, M &D Mini Storage, Van Horne Communications, Kiwanis Club, Rausch Financial Services, Chuck and Jolene Topinka, Atkins Lumber Company, Keystone Savings Bank, Grieder Standard Service, Unity Point, Farmers Savings Bank, Shellsburg Quick Stop, Keystone Insurance Company, Precision Sheet Metal, Keystone Communications, Tama Benton Coop, Van Horne Lions Club, Wilson/Hite Insurance, Berry's Lanes, Belle Plaine Specialty Care, CarQuest, Drahn Insurance Agency, Chekal Rental & Storage, Stoneycreek Marble Products, Chelsea Savings Bank, Rabe Hardware, Belle Plaine Hardware, and Volz Auto Repair.

Thank you for all your support in the fight against cancer! Your Relay for Life of Benton County Committee: Ev Wiebke, Fran Magdefrau, Loretta Vogt, Eva Bartelt, Crystal Fisher, Sandi Gibney, Carol Ann Bossom, and Jolene Topinka.