News : 2025 BENTON COUNTY AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY RELAY FOR LIFE

Relay For Life is more than just a fundraising walk. It is a global movement that celebrates cancer survivors and caregivers, honors loved ones, and helps fund the future of cancer research and care. Money raised from Relay directly supports members of our community by funding breakthrough research, 24/7 support for people with cancer, access to lifesaving screenings, and much more. And this year we commemorate 40 years of Relay For Life!

The American Cancer Society strives to help anyone and everyone in their fight against cancer. The ACS website is a valuable resource that provides information on anything related to fighting cancer. Just a sampling includes: annual reports, cancer risk factors, information about Hope Lodge communities, a Caregiver Resource Guide, Ever You (products for breast cancer patients), volunteer opportunities, Cars For A Cure (donating used cars to ACS), healthy recipes, ACS CAN (Cancer Action Network), ACS CARES mobile app, etc. In 2024 the American Cancer Society launched a new grant program, ABC (Addressing Barriers to Care), to support local organizations that provide services for people with cancer to address food security, nutrition education, and more. ACS is committed to ensuring everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.

The Benton County Relay For Life to support the American Cancer Society is just around the corner! The Relay will be held Sunday, June 1st from 6:00 PM through 10:00 PM at the Benton Community High School track in Van Horne. Activities throughout the evening will include: speakers, games, ACS trivia questions for prizes, luminaria available for purchase, concession stand, DJ music, and continual relay walking. The schedule includes:

n 5:00 - 6:00 Survivor Sign-in for free T-shirt

n 6:00 - Opening Ceremonies

n 7:00 - Survivor and Caregiver Laps

n 9:00 - Luminaria Lighting

At Benton County Relay For Life and Relay events across the country, there will be luminaria-small, decorated paper bags illuminated from within. Each one represents a life and shines in remembrance, hope, or triumph. Luminaria can be purchased at the Relay on June 1st or can be purchased ahead of the Relay by contacting Ev Wiebke at (319)228-8348.

Please join our local community in supporting the fight against cancer right here in Benton County! When we relay, we remind the community that hope is alive, and people facing cancer are not alone. Come with all your family and friends to remember those who lost their battle to cancer, those who are currently battling, and those who survived their battle. Help us in the fight for a world without cancer!