The Alexander City Outlook

Relay for Life Event Chair Mabry Cook, far right, answers questions from prospective Relay team members. | Austin Nelson photo

Relay for Life holds kick-off at RMC

Many new teams showed up to the Tallapoosa County Relay for Life Kick-Off at the RMC Cancer Center lobby yesterday.

Event chair Mabry Cook was “very pleased” with the turnout.

“We had a great turnout, and the majority of the teams that showed up were teams we didn’t even know about,” Cook said.  “We have had about 30 teams already contact us, so we are well on our way to having great participation in this year’s campaign.”

Cook said that the date for the all-night relay event has been set for May 11 at 5 p.m. Departing from the traditional location of the past 10 years or so, this year’s event will be held at the Sportplex at “The Hollow,” near where portions of the city’s Oktoberfest were held.

“It’s going to be a fun night –there will be great entertainment for adults and children alike,” Cook said.

Though some teams signed up during the kick-off event, Cook said it’s not too late to sign up a team. Cook said that everyone from educators and small businesses to civic clubs and churches could form a team.

Each team usually consists of 5-15 members, Cook said, with each member aiming to raise a minimum of $100 each. How teams raise money is only limited by the members’ own imaginations.

“We want them to be creative,” Cook said. “Look online to find ideas of what other teams have done, but just make it exciting. It’s for a great cause and we want everyone to have fun while they are doing it.”

This year’s theme will be “Color A World Without Cancer,” Cook said. Teams will choose a color, with each color representing a different type of cancer.

Teams can sign up online, or contact Mabry Cook at RMC Cancer Center via email at mcook@russellmedcenter.com. Those interested can also call the cancer center at 256-329-7888 and ask for Cook or Bridgette Thornell.