A little rain won’t stop citizens from fighting back against cancer.
The Carter County Relay For Life announced Wednesday that the event will still take place on June 23 but will be held inside the Tennessee College of Applied Technology (TCAT) campus in Elizabethton from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. due to the threat of inclement weather.
“Due to the predicted forecast of severe weather, the Leadership Team believes that the safety of our participants and survivors is of utmost importance and have proactively chosen to maintain a quality, safe event, only indoors,” the county chapter of Relay For Life said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.
Consider it part of the theme for this year’s Relay For Life — “Passport To Hope.”
With all the travels and trips taken throughout the years with tackling the issue of cancer, Kathy Thomason, county Relay For Life media relations coordinator, said the group is excited to see new citizens join in to help fight back against cancer.
“We’ve had heartache this year, but we’ve also had new people come aboard,” Thomason told the Elizabethton Star. “I hate that families have to be hit by cancer right between the eyes before they understand this is preventable. This is something we can fight for and because of this, I meet new people every day.
“I had a lady come in the other day, newly diagnosed, and she said she wanted to send a donation,” Thomason continued. “Those of us that have done this over the years, we do get tired. But it is great to see these new faces and know there are people that are passionate about this.”
Over 20 teams are taking part in this year’s event. The different teams that have participated in fundraising for the organization include:
• Kennametal
• Donna’s Dream Team
• Faithful Family & Friends
• Team Marlow
• Pirates of the Cureibeans
• Fairview Baptist
• Next Generation
• Life Care
• Street Walkers
• Valley Forge Freewill Baptist Church
• Blue Springs Christian Church
• Cancer Crushers
• Patsy Jane’s Girls
• Sam’s Club
• Sycamore Shoals Hospital
• St. Paul United Methodist Church
• Track Queens
• Snap-On Tools of Elizabethton
• Sam’s Club of Johnson City
• Carter County Bank
• Primo’s
• Rock Reunion
• Wal-Mart
Thomason added the event will feature different vendors, including Mimi’s Ice Cream Truck, Mason Joe Coffee Roasters, caricatures and survivor merchandise.
No matter what’s going on in the world, Thomason said for one night, Relay For Life gives people a chance to come together.
“I think it brings the community together because we all have something in common,” Thomason said. “Everybody feels differently about politics, or anything like that, but when it comes to the loss of a loved one … we all grieve. We can all come together. I’ve seen people sit in front of their luminara and just cry. But we can all come together and take a moment to remember those that have been affected by cancer.”
Luminarias are still available prior to the event, and will available throughout the event itself. Bags are available for $5 and are lit in the later night hours for a special ceremony to remember those that have battled through cancer.
Contact Thomason at kathy.thomason@edwardjones.com or visit the Carter County Relay For Life Facebook page for more information.