Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will host this year's Grant County Relay For Life walk that will begin on Friday, April 17, in Williams Fieldhouse on the UWP campus and conclude later Saturday morning. Brianna Klaas, UWP student and cancer survivor, will address the participants during the opening ceremony at 6 p.m.

The cancer survivors, dressed in purple T-shirts, will start the first lap and then over 40 teams will begin the 15-hour-walk, with two people from each team walking at all times. Everyone is invited to attend this event and anyone can walk, even if they are not registered with a team.

According to the American Cancer Society, Relay For Life represents the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated.

"I'm a firm believer of this cause," MaryBeth Gerhards, Grant County Relay For Life coordinator, said. "What better cause is there than beating cancer?"

Gerhards has been involved with cancer fundraising for 15 years. She began first as a team participant, quickly joined organizational committees and now coordinates the Grant County event.

Live entertainment will be provided throughout the night and beginning at 8 p.m., gift baskets created by each participating team will be auctioned off.

Luminaries can also be purchased for $5 in honor or in memory of a loved one. People may decorate the bags themselves and some will be pre-decorated by area school children.

All of the luminaries will be lit (with battery-operated tea lights) at 10 p.m. and placed along the track where all of the names will be read aloud. The luminaries can be purchased right up until the ceremony begins.

Some of the teams also sell daffodils prior to the event. All proceeds from the sales either prior to or during the event are donated to cancer research. "Last year, we raised $70,000," said Gerhards. "We met our goal and we exceeded the previous year." Gerhards stresses that any donation helps and that even $5 could make the difference in finding a cure for cancer.

For more information about this event, contact Gerhards at (608) 778-2880.

Contact: MaryBeth Gerhards, Grant County coordinator, Relay For Life, (608) 778-2880 Written by: Barbara Weinbrenner, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, weinbreb@uwplatt.edu