Community Corner

Brandon 'Saying Goodnight To Cancer' at 2011 Relay For Life

Planning and fundraising is underway for the Greater Brandon Relay For Life at Brandon High School on April 1. The 18-hour event will be discussed at a Feb. 8 meeting in the school's cafeteria.

Beth Lewis wants to say goodnight to cancer, which is why she’s asking hundreds of Greater Brandon residents to join her for an overnight slumber party on the football field and track of the area’s oldest high school.

At the Brandon High School cafeteria on Feb. 8, at 6 p.m., Lewis will discuss the upcoming Greater Brandon Relay For Life and its 2011 theme, “Saying Goodnight to Cancer.”

“There will be a lot of pajama parties and tooth fairies,” said Lee, about the campsite decorations, costumes and activities that define each relay nationwide.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Brandon relay is one of in Eastern Hillsborough County, with sites also at Bloomingdale, Newsome, Plant City and Riverview high schools and Burnett Middle School. Each relay has its own theme.

The overnight Greater Brandon Relay For Life kicks off April 1 at 6 p.m. Last year’s Brandon relay raised $76,000 to fight cancer by helping to fund American Cancer Society prevention, awareness and research initiatives, Lewis said.

Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“Anybody who has a team or who wants to start a team or get information is invited,” Lewis said. “We had 32 teams last year and right now I’ve got 42. We also have more community involvement. The (, the (Greater Brandon)Chamber (of Commerce), ), they’re all coming, as well as lots of school teams and businesses. It’s a good place to get out there and market your business and show that you’re involved in the community.”

The 18-hour Relay For Life “tracks a person’s journey through cancer” and honors survivors and caregivers, Lee said. The start at dusk is to signify the patient receiving the diagnosis, she said.

“As it gets dark, in the middle of the night, your process going through the disease,” she added. “As morning rises, the sunrise signifies the light at the end of the tunnel.”

Generally speaking, an average team has 10 people, Lee said.

“But I had a team that showed up with two people,” she said. “And I’ve had teams raise anywhere from $100 to $10,000. We’re happy with all of them because every little bit helps.”

It costs $100 to establish a team.

“With that amount, it shows that you are committed to seeing it through,” Lee said.

Fundraising is held before and during each relay. “You decorate your campsite and hold onsite fundraisers,” Lee said. “We’ve had people cooking hamburgers and throwing pies at the principal’s face.”

One other thing is required, Lee said.

“Throughout the relay, somebody from each team has to be on the track at all times walking,” she said.

This is Lewis’ third year on the Greater Brandon Relay For Life’s board of directors, and her first year as chair. She was convinced to become involved by fellow Rotarian Leslie Granich, who was then the principal of Brandon High.

“My mom had passed away from cancer and Leslie Granich is one of my best friends and she said, ‘You need to come up here and get involved,’ ” Lewis said. “I was so surprised when I saw the luminarias (for the memory walk) I walked up sand said, ‘How do I join?’ ”

With her involvement came many lessons learned.

“I’ve met some amazing people,” Lewis said. “I’ve learned what a great organization the American Cancer Society is. How most of the money raised actually goes toward helping people with cancer. It’s not only research, it’s advocacy, too, and of course raising money to find a cure. And it’s support. If you get cancer and you need a ride to chemotherapy, they’ll find you a ride. If you need a wig and you can’t afford it? You get a wig. You learn how to put on your makeup. And you find a friend to help you get through it.”

Collectively, more than half- a-million dollars was raised last year at the six Relays For Life in Eastern Hillsborough County, despite the tough economy that has many businesses and non-profits struggling to stay in business.

Yet it always is a banner year for the Relay For Life enterprise.

Why?

“Cancer affects everybody’s life,” Lewis said. “I haven’t met anybody who hasn’t lost somebody to cancer.”


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here