Community Corner

Tell Cancer to Take a Hike During Relay for Life This Weekend in Ferndale

The Made in Michigan-themed community event at Ferndale High School will include food, music, kids activities, a luminaria ceremony, a celebration of survivors and more.

Community members are invited to lace up their shoes, light a luminaria or just stop by this weekend during the annual Relay for Life in Ferndale.

The 24-hour walking event aims to celebrate cancer survivors, remember lost loved ones and raise funds and awareness. Participants will camp out beginning Saturday, June 8, at the Ferndale High School football field and decorate their sites with Made in Michigan themes.

"It's just another thing to add some fun to the day," event chairwoman Michele Sibula said. "One of the first things we do is celebrate our survivors and the fact that they were able to kick cancer's butt. They lead in the first lap."

Relay teams of walkers will continue to do laps until 10 a.m. Sunday morning, when a closing ceremony will be held. The following musical performances and activities will be held Saturday.

1-3:30 p.m. The Saints of Soul
5-6 p.m.  The Fine Line
9-10 p.m. Flute Specialists Flute Choir
10 p.m. Luminaria ceremony

Kids activities, including a bounce house, also will be available.

Sibula said there is no deadline to donate or register online and Ferndale community members are welcome to stop by and cheer on walkers, dedicate a luminaria in honor of a survivor or lost loved one, or even just grab a snack. Better Made chips, Faygo, Vernors floats, Mackinac Island fudge and a Sander's sundae bar will be available, per the event's theme, as well as kielbasa, piergoi and hot dogs, she said.

More than 4 million people in more than 20 countries worldwide participate in Relay for Life events each year, according to the American Cancer Society.

"We will be out there walking and we want the community to come share the day with us," Sibula said. "It's going to be a beautiful day. It's not going to be too hot, so we hope the community comes out to celebrate."

Visit the Relay for Life of Ferndale website or "like" Ferndale Relay for Life on Facebook for more information.


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