Tambra Cheman

'Relay for Life' set for Winfield in July

May 29, 2012

Half of all men and a third of all women in the United States will develop some form of cancer during their lifetime.

Once considered a terminal condition, new treatments and research are bringing hope to thousands who now survive a cancer diagnosis.

Tambra Cheman is, herself, a cancer survivor, she told Putnam Rotarians today. She survived, and she is leading the charge to bring hope and survival with a local "Relay for Life" celebration in the heart of the Putnam community.

The event will take off at Winfield High School on Friday and Saturday, July 13th and 14th, beginning with a celebration parade. Hurricane High School's George Watson will be the parade grand marshall, and Winfield's Jeremy Huff will be the junior grand marshall.

A traditional candlelight "Illuminaria Ceremony" will honor those who battled cancer and loved ones who have been lost to the disease."It's a life-changing experience," said Cheman.

". . . a life-changing experience!"

A "Wacky Olympics" football competition will feature the Hurricane and Winfield teams. Cheman says the mayor of the community of the losing team will be painted in the colors of the winner and march in their next Homecoming Parade.

Visitors are encouraged to participate in the relay. "Whether you run or not," said Cheman, "a ten-dollar registration will get you a Relay T-shirt." Radio stations WQBE and Electric 102 will be transmitting live from the relay site in Winfield.

The Relay for Life sponsored by the American Cancer Society began in 1985 when survivor Dr. Gordy Klatt raised $27,000 from friends who cheered him on in a walk/run in Tacoma, Washington. Over 24 hours, Klatt ran more than 83 miles circling the track in Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound.

"Relay for Life" events often last up to 24 hours, because "cancer never sleeps."

Teams of people camp out at the relay site and take turns running or walking around a track. Each team is expected to have a member on the track at all times.

Putnam Rotary will have a canopy at the Winfield event and sell pizza slices and baked goods -- all proceeds to go to American Cancer Society's Putnam Relay for Life.