Pembroke Pines, FL (March 13, 2019) - Residents, families, friends and cancer survivors are encouraged to join the City of Pembroke Pines on Friday, April 5, 2019 and Saturday, April 6, 2019 to help find a cure for cancer. The 15 hour Relay for Life event gets underway at 6:00 p.m. on April 5, 2019 and goes until 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, 2019 at the Walter C. Young Middle School track, located at 901 NW 129th Avenue, in Pembroke Pines. Over the years, the City of Pembroke Pines has raised over two and half million dollars via the Relay for Life event. The Relay for Life of Pembroke Pines is an inspiring opportunity to unite as a community. It is an exciting, team-based, overnight walking event that brings people together to celebrate the lives of those who have battled cancer, remember the loved ones lost, and empower communities to fight back.
The event kicks off by celebrating everyone, both men and women, who have been affected by cancer at some point in their lives. There will be a Survivors Lap where all cancer survivors take the first lap around the track to celebrate their victory over cancer; a Caregivers Lap where caregivers will be honored as they walk a lap, usually with the person they supported; and a Luminaria Ceremony which takes place after dark to honor those who have lost their lives to cancer, to remember those who fought cancer in the past, and to support those whose fight is ongoing. Candles are lit inside of personalized bags that are placed around the track as shining acknowledgements to those affected by the disease.
When not walking or running, participants can visit team campsites to take part in games, activities, enjoy food varieties and entertainment all night long. Additionally, for the second consecutive year, the “Mayor’s Gang Locks of Love Ceremony” will take place, where participants and visitors are urged to donate eight inches of hair to give back to help produce free wigs for cancer patients. The goal for 2019 is to beat last year’s record of 140 inches of donated hair, and to have as many participants be able to donate over 200 inches of hair. Lastly, Children at the Relay can indulge themselves in the Mayor’s Kids Zone, a place to bounce and play, during the festivities while monies are being raised for the cure. And, there will also be a competitive Kick Ball Game between the Pembroke Pines Fire and Pembroke Pines Police Departments.
The Relay for Life concept began in May 1985 when Dr. Gordon "Gordy" Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours straight around a track in Tacoma, Washington to raise to raise funds to help the American Cancer Society address the nation's largest health concern. Dr. Klatt passed away August 3, 2014, at the age of 71 from heart failure after battling stomach cancer, however his legacy lives on. He helped form an idea that started as one man walking and running a track and turned it into a global event raising over $5 billion to help save lives around the world.
To join the Mayor’s Team or support the fundraiser, please call the City of Pembroke Pines Special Events Division at 954-392-2116. Cancer survivors can contact the American Cancer Society directly at 954-200-7534 to learn of different ways they can participate in the event. Those taking part in the event can also register their own team by going to www.relayforlife.org/pembrokepinesfl.
The community is encouraged to learn more about the City of Pembroke Pines’ latest events by subscribing to Pines Media on YouTube, reading the city's newspaper City Connect, checking the City’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/cityofpembrokepines, and accessing Twitter or Instagram using @cityofppines. Residents with Comcast can view Pembroke Pines Media programming on Channel 78, while residents with AT&T U-Verse can view programming on Channel 99 and click on Pembroke Pines TV.
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