McBains Angels - Relay For Life

Total Funds Raised

The Berrien County Fairgrounds Relay event raised over $450,000 to help find a cure for cancer!!! It amazes me each year how much money we continue to raise. Hopefully, if not in my lifetime, in Grace's, there will no longer be a need to relay.

This event has been #1 in the nation per capita the past 2 years. Hopefully we can again be #1 in raising funds.

Luminaria

At 11:00p.m. there is a Luminaria "Ceremony". Throughout the year we have sold white luminaria bags in memory or honor of people with cancer. We decorate the bags throughout the day, some teams let the purchasers decorate their bags. Then we put in sand and a candle and light it. The luminaria bags light our walk through the night. There is a silent lap where we reflect on those fighting the battle and those who have lost the fight.

Uncle Tom and Barb lighting the candles.

Two of our decorated bags. The one on the left is my neighbor who has just lost her mother at the wonderful age of 99 to simple old age. Sarah was a delight to be around. She has spent the better part of the last year at Jeannie's (my neighbor) and had become like a grandmother to me and my family. I loved to hear her stories of growing up and raising her children. Even in her last days, you could be guaranteed a smile from her at the mention of shoes and handsome young men. I will miss her.

Cruisin' For A Cure

Each year there is a different theme for Relay. It is always fun to see how each team interprets the theme. This year the theme was Cruisin' For A Cure. The team next to us had a pink car pinata. The team across from us had a "Herbie The Love Bug" theme.

This team brought their motorcycle.

This hot wheels car showed up for awhile in the afternoon.

Around the Track

Team Jurrassic Joggers for Josh always has this dinasaur they offer rides in.

There are approximately 100 teams that come for this event to fight cancer.

All ages, sizes and colors participate in relay - cancer is not biased.

This team had a table full of items to sell to raise even more money.

We Miss You Nick

Nick just finished Boot Camp last weekend and is now in El Paso, Texas at Fort Bliss. We needed a man for the Womanless Woman contest to replace Nick this year but there were no takers.