Relay for Life is an event that happens in many communities across the world to raise awareness and to celebrate the lives of those who have battled and/or have lost their fight with cancer. And under sunny skies on June 21st, Hopkinton kicked off their 7th annual relay at the High School. 745 participants consisting of 75 teams attended the all-night event, which raised over $150,000 for The American Cancer Society. For those who participated, each had their own reason for why they relay.
During the event, members of each team take turns walking laps around the track. There are two special laps throughout the course of the event, the luminaria ceremony, a lap of silence dedicated to the memory of those who have passed away from cancer, and the survivors lap, which honors those who have overcome the disease. This year, there were 40 survivors in attendance and the lap was dedicated to the memory of Donna McGuire, an original member of the Hopkinton Relay for Life committee who passed away last August.
For those not walking the track, there were plenty of activities during the night, including live music, a dunk tank, and games around the field. The event takes about a year to organize, with about 15 to 20 student and adult volunteers on the planning committee.
Over the past seven years, Hopkinton Relay for Life has raised over $915,000.
