Relay for Life of Butler County July 9

The Butler County Fairgrounds in Allison will again be alive with a crowd of supporters to fight against cancer as they gather for the American Cancer Society's 2021 Relay for Life on Friday, July 9.

The Relay is open to the public from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. All are encouraged to stop in for a fun evening with many activities and food choices from Butler County Pork Promoters and Cattlemen, Relay for Life Concession Stand and more.

Registration for survivors and the silent auction begins at 5 p.m., and at 6 p.m. the opening ceremonies will be held.

Jamie Thompson, Relay for Life Team Recruitment Chairperson, stated there are 18 teams throughout the county this year. Team camp sites will be set up both around the outside and on the inside of the track with the luminaries lining the inside of the track.

Marnie Schmidt of M Photo will be available to take official team photos, which can also be taken next to the pink tractor.

The 2021 Honored Survivor is Trish Freese, who will be telling her story with the help of her daughter, Jamie Thompson, and leading off the survivor lap. If you are a cancer survivor and have not yet registered, please come and be part of the evening.  Survivors need to register by contacting Jamie Thompson at 319-575-0396 or Paulene Meyer at 319-267-2559 by July 1 to guarantee a survivor T-shirt at Relay. Due to HIPAA regulations, we are not allowed to contact you otherwise.

Listen quietly as the names of "In Memory Of" and "In Honor Of" are read. Bring a lawn chair and people-watch as there is a lot to see at Relay.

You may still get luminaries by contacting any team member or someone from your community who is on the committee.  There are available pre-decorated 'In Memory of" and "In Honor Of' luminaries, or you may decorate your own.  If in doubt, please contact Margaret Harris at 319-404-0753.

Near dark, the Luminary Ceremony will be held. Volunteers will have stepped forward to offer to help fill the luminaries ahead of time and the luminaries will then be lit as they line the track for the ceremony.  A time of silence will accompany this ceremony as it is a time of reflection and remembrance.

Two silent auction tents will be available to register for prizes and drawings, with a wide variety of items donated by area sponsors, teams and Relay for Life supporters. The silent auction will be online on Monday, July 5 at www.32auctions.com/RFL21ButlerCountyIA.

A meaningful Fight Back Ceremony will be held with the total dollars raised announced.

Sponsors who have supported Relay for Life in any way are to be thanked for their generous support.  Without these funds, the relay would not be the success that it has become.

Supporters of Butler County Relay for Life are a big part of the ultimate fundraising goals. Butler County has continued to be very generous in the money earned as everyone knows someone who has been affected by the disease. A big thank you goes out to all who have made donations of any kind.

The mission of Relay for Life is to save lives, celebrate lives and lead the fight for a world without cancer. Be a part of the Butler County Relay for Life as they work to gather the people to support cancer fighters, celebrate survivors of all cancers, honor the taken, raise money and never give up hope that researchers will find a cure.