PORT ANGELES — The purple ribbons on lamp posts and the T-shirts on the Avenue of the People statues have the same message: It’s time for the annual Relay for Life 24-hour marathon.
Members of the 21th annual Relay for Life of Port Angeles organizing committee on Saturday tied purple ribbons in downtown Port Angeles and dressed the rusty statues on Laurel Street in Relay for Life T-shirts in preparation for next weekend’s fundraising event at the Clallam County Fairgrounds, 1608 W. 16th St.
“We’re going to dress them up,” said Nancy White, co-chairwoman of the survivors’ event at this year’s Relay for Life, said Friday, “to let people know it’s Relay time.”
The event will begin with a soft opening at 3 p.m. Friday, formally open with the first survivors’ lap at 6:30 p.m., continue with music, a variety of fundraising activities and laps throughout the night and close by 3 p.m. Saturday.
Relay for Life events raise money for cancer research. The 26 Port Angeles teams already have raised $36,344 toward this year’s goal of $81,000, said Jamie Sage, fundraising chairwoman for the event.
Money was raised through “everything from having scrapbook parties to movie nights,” as well as bake sales and car washes, Sage said.
“One team had a Cinco de Mayo party that raised over $600.”
In another event, six local pubs competed in selling stars and moons with names printed on them for $1 each or a larger donation to customers. That raised $1,200, Sage said.
A similar contest among coffee shops netted about $1,300.
All proceeds go to the American Cancer Society.
The Port Angeles Relay for Life is the first scheduled this year on the North Olympic Peninsula.
The Port Townsend event will begin July 24 at Memorial Field. The West End Relay for Life will start Aug. 6 at Forks High School. Sequim’s event will begin Aug. 14 at Sequim High School.
This weekend, organizers have planned an auction, drawings, bake sales, and sales of arts and crafts, Sage said.
The luminaria ceremony is planned at 11 p.m. Friday.
In this ceremony, illuminated paper bags each bear the name of a person who has fought cancer.
On Friday, teams will begin checking in at 10 a.m. Lumnaria sales, and on-site fundraising, including a silent auction, will begin at 3 p.m.
During the next 24 hours, entertainment will be provided by Kelly Hoch & Friends, Soul Shakers, Big Fine Daddies, BYOB and Turner Brothers.
At midnight, karaoke is planned.
Zumba is planned at 7 a.m. Saturday. Jazzercise is set for 8:30 a.m.
Closing ceremonies will begin at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, with the event winding up by 3 p.m.
In addition to raising money for research, the Relay for Life “gives survivors not just a chance to celebrate one more year and one more birthday, it gives them the opportunity to celebrate life,” White said.
The first survivor lap will immediately follow the formal opening ceremony at 6 p.m.
“The survivors lap not only gives us a chance to honor those who have won or are winning their battle with cancer, but also gives them the opportunity to show everyone in our community that cancer can be defeated,” White said.
The second survivor lap will be at 10 a.m. Saturday.
A special tent will be set up for survivors, and all cancer survivors are invited.
Food and refreshments will be available for cancer survivors at the kitchen area.
Each will be given a survivor medal and T-shirt. A group photo is planned.
“At this very moment, there are about 9 million Americans who can call themselves cancer survivors,” White said.
Added Tami Brothers, survivor events co-chairwoman: “And we believe that number will grow every year, which is why we continue to raise money to support cancer research until the day cancer no longer exists.
“That’s what makes Relay for Life so important,” she continued.
For more information about the Port Angeles Relay for Life, see www.relayfor life.org/portangeleswa.
To register to walk the survivors lap or to learn more about it, phone Brothers at 360-460-5960 or White at 360-670-9496.
To register a team or as a corporate sponsor, phone either of the event chairwomen, Tonja Linson at 360-808-7757 or Debra West at 360-670-349.
For 24-hour cancer information, phone the American Cancer Society at 800-227-2345 or see www.cancer. org.