Additional sponsors are being sought after for the 2013 American Cancer Society Relay For Life of McKinney annual, overnight fundraising event that will be held 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday, April 26 in McKinney.
The 2013 Relay For Life of McKinney is an overnight, family-friendly fundraising event where people walk throughout the night to raise money for the American Cancer Society. The Relay For Life events are the society’s largest fundraisers and shine the light on cancer survivors and their caretakers and help educate the public on all types of cancers and cancer prevention. Each Relay event has a fundraising goal, and the McKinney Relay fundraising goal is $513,000 this year.
“Donations from corporate sponsors are vital to the success of Relay For Life of McKinney,” said Sherry Jeffcoat, co-chair of the event. “As a sponsor of Relay For Life of McKinney, the American Cancer Society’s signature activity, you are joining us in providing education about the work that the American Cancer Society is doing, helping to bring awareness to our community and celebrating the lives of those who have been touched by cancer.”
Each RFL event features the Luminaria program, where bags that feature the names of loved ones who have either lost their battle with cancer or who are cancer survivors are lit and placed along the track during Relay at The Ballfields at Craig Ranch, 6151 Alma Rd.
In addition, Relay has added Light Up The Night. This portion of the Luminaria event will be featured in a more personal setting this year - in peoples’ neighborhoods. Purchased Luminaria bags will be placed on the curbside of each person’s home on April 26, the night of the Relay For Life of McKinney, to help light the way for people to Relay.
This ceremony of light symbolizes the hope and perseverance with which we all continue to fight. Luminarias for Light Up The Night may be ordered now through April 1 and they cost $10 for a white bag, $25 for a red bag, $50 for a blue bag and $100 for a purple bag. For more information about Light Up The Night, contact RFL of McKinney Committee member Beth Darling at BethDarling123@gmail.com.
Relay For Life of McKinney is a success due to the people who devote their time and energy raising money, signing up teams to participate, showing up to the event to walk to celebrate life, remembering and honoring loved ones who lost their battle with cancer, and embracing the spirit of never giving up and walking throughout the night as cancer never sleeps. In case of eminent weather, Relay For Life of McKinney will be moved indoors to McKinney Boyd High School.
As of Feb. 7, at least 46 teams, 44 cancer survivors, 52 caregivers and 237 participants have registered for the 2013 Relay For Life of McKinney, and RFL has raised $11,863.55 online and $59,617.54 from RFL sponsors. To form a team, volunteer, or to view the sponsorship opportunities, visit www.RelayForLife.org/McKinneyTx.
The 2012 Relay For Life of McKinney was the third highest grossing Relay event in the American Cancer Society’s High Plains Division, with the country of Guam placing first and the city of Baytown, near Houston, coming in second for the most amount of money donated. Considering the great population difference between Guam and Baytown to McKinney’s population of 135,000, placing third in fundraising is a great feat for the Relay For Life of McKinney event.
To help sponsor this event, please contact 2013 Relay For Life of McKinney Director of Finance Amy Feagin at amy.relaymckinney@yahoo.com, or 2013 Relay For Life of McKinney Event Co-Chairpersons Alesha Crowell at alesha.relaymckinney@yahoo.com or Sherry Jeffcoat at sherry.relaymckinney@yahoo.com.