Published: June 05, 2008 08:49 am      

Caregivers to get special recognition at Relay

Editor’s note: This is the fourth in a series focusing on Relay For Life events.

By KANDACE MCCOY

kandace.mccoy@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — As plans wrap up for this year’s Relay For Life Survivor Walk, organizers have announced provisions have been made for a Caregiver Lap as well.

“This year, we’re trying to incorporate the caregivers as well as survivors,” commented co-chair Susan Fox, “because caregivers give a lot of time and effort to survivors and we want them to know how appreciated they are by survivors.”

Teams will be registering and setting up their booths at approximately noon Friday at the Mt. Vernon Veterans Park, Fox added, with some campsites already laid out around the walking trail. Survivor registration will be from 4:30 to 7 p.m. at the Survivor Tent.

A Blessing of the Relay will take place at 5:55 p.m. with survivor recognition and a victory lap at 6 p.m. It is during this time caregivers will be recognized with their lap.

“A lot of survivors have said, ‘we need to let caregivers know how much they’re appreciated,’” Fox said. “There will be a special area for caregivers.”

Caregivers come in many forms, she explained, whether they are medical personnel, personal assistant or family members. “It’s hard for the caregivers. They’re your support system, the family members and folks there with kind words, and send you cards. ...They’re a major part of getting through with cancer and play a vital role in anyone’s ability to get through cancer. Just the support — a person who comes over to sit with you when you’re upset or depressed, the one who’s with you when you’re first diagnosed, the one with you when your hair is falling out or when you don’t think you can take that next chemo treatment. It’s that person willing to sit there with you and put an arm around you and say, ‘We’ll get through this.’ That person is always there beside you, and it’s always more than one — that team of caregivers.”

There will also be a parade during Friday’s events of all the teams participating as well as main stage activities going on throughout the evening.

Fox said the “ultimate goal” for the fundraiser is $125,000. “We’re not there yet. That’s why we need everyone’s help to get there. We really need to meet that goal.”

Last year Relay For Life raised $112,000, she said.

Donations are welcome and continue to be accepted for any of the teams. Fox and co-chair Teresa McIlrath will be on hand Friday to accept donations. For more information or to make a donation, contact McIlrath at 242-5117 or Fox at 204-9560, or contact the American Cancer Society at 998-9898. Checks should be made payable to the ACS and may be sent to 17436 E. Illinois Highway 142, Opdyke, IL 62872 or ACS office, 4503 W. DeYoung, Suite 200 C, Marion, IL 62959.