By ESTHER K. SMITH
News staff writer
June 25, 2007

There’s still time to form a team and raise money for American Cancer Society’s 2007 Relay For Life, July 21-22 on the football field and track at Hood River Valley High School.

Teams pay a $100 registration fee and strive to raise at least $150 per member, but many teams raise much more than that: The leading team so far this year is the “Giddy Up Girls,” which has already raised more than $7,600.

Teams raise funds with car washes, letter-writing campaigns, golf tournaments, raffles and more. Upcoming fund-raisers include a hot dog sale at Tum-A-Lum Lumber June 30, organized by the “One Step at a Time” team, and a July 10 “yard sale” at Rosauers.

Last year the Relay For Life raised more than $101,000 to fund cancer research, education, advocacy efforts and patient services. Thirty-six teams made up of 500 team members participated last year.

Teams can sign up online at www.acsevents.org/relay/or/columbiagorge or contact Brandi Nelson at (509) 493-1468 or brandi@midcolumbia.net, or Terry Joyer at (541) 386-5467 or tjoyer@charter.net.

The Web site gives fund-raising tips and updates on teams and fund-raisers. Each team has its own page, and many teams are still welcoming new members — so if you can’t form a new team, you can still join an existing one.

Many employers offer matching funds programs, the site says. Your $50 donation could turn into $100. Contact your personnel or human resources department to complete paperwork required to get your gift matched.

If you don’t want to join a team, considering honoring someone’s memory or someone’s fight with cancer by purchasing a luminaria for the luminaria ceremony at the event. Donations can be made on the Web site or by calling Pam Webster at (509) 493-4540.

The Relay For Life begins at 9 a.m. Saturday, July 21, and ends 9 a.m. the next morning. It brings together families, church groups, co-workers and friends into teams of eight to 15 members that camp out and take turns walking the track during the 24-hour period.

The event is kicked off by the survivors walk, a ceremonial “victory lap” by cancer survivors in the community. There is entertainment all day long, which last year included local bands, cancer information games, a water slide, Locks of Love hair cutting, a basket silent auction and much more. The luminaria event takes place late in the evening.

Last year 100 cancer survivors participated in the victory lap, and were treated afterward to a special lunch and reception in the Survivors Area. The Web site contains a registration form for survivors who wish to take part in the 2007 survivors lap.