Purple ribbons and purple window paint adorn McKinney around downtown to celebrate cancer awareness and get people fired up about participating in the city’s annual American Cancer Society fund-raiser — the award winning Relay For Life of McKinney.
Downtown McKinney businesses helped celebrate cancer awareness by purchasing purple ribbons that featured the color of Relay — purple — for the Paint The Town Purple pep rally event that kicked off April 13. Downtown merchants such as Cynthia Elliott, Fair and Square Imports, Ambrosia, Orison's Boutique, Morning Star Treasures, and The Pantry Restaurant purchased bows and decorated their businesses to help rally support for Relay For Life. McKinney Mayor Brian Loughmiller officially kicked off the Paint The Town Purple event on the lawn of the McKinney Performing Arts Center. The Paint The Town Purple kick-off was held in conjunction with the McKinney Main Street event Art In Bloom. Loughmiller got into the spirit of the day by using colored chalk to draw the Relay For Life logo on the west sidewalk of the MPAC building.
There is still time to register as a participant or form a team in the 12th annual Relay For Life of McKinney, presented by Darling Homes, the event’s title sponsor, which will be held 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. Friday, April 26 at the Ballfields at Craig Ranch, 6151 Alma Road. Relay For Life is an overnight fund-raiser that celebrates cancer survivors and their caregivers, and remembers those who’ve lost their battle with cancer. People join teams and walk throughout the night and raise money for the American Cancer Society. This year’s fund-raising goal is $515,000.
This year's Relay For Life will kick off by honoring and recognizing cancer survivors and their caregivers in the Survivor Lap and the Caregiver Lap after the opening ceremony starts. Those cancer survivors, people currently battling the disease and caregivers who have registered to participate in Relay For Life of McKinney will be the first people to walk along the track. Each survivor’s and caregiver’s name will be read aloud from the stage as the survivor receives a medal and is cheered on by attendees, other survivors, family members, and cheerleaders.
After the Survivor Lap and Caregiver Lap, the ballfield lights will dim as a moment of silence will be held for the annual Luminaria Ceremony. Luminaria, which are bags decorated with the names of those who have lost their battle with cancer, will be placed along the track as the crowd participates in a moment of silence to honor loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer. White luminaria cost $10; red luminaria cost $25; blue luminaria cost $50; and purple luminaria cost $100.
After the Luminaria Ceremony team members will begin walking and competing for various fund-raiser games and competitions set up by teams and the 2013 Relay For Life of McKinney Committee. Those activities and fund-raising events including themed walks, such as the popular and funny Mr. Relay walk where men will be dressed in women’s pageant dresses, tiaras, and boas, all in fun, to compete for the coveted crown of Mr. Relay! Live music from the Maylee Thomas Band, Zydeco Stingrays, Katrina Kaye, Rachel Teague, The Banditz, The Final Four, and many more! People may still register as participants or form teams at
There will also be a Race For Relay lap contest where contestants will have a driver who will walk around the track and represent their team. Teams will be provided materials, such as cardboard to build a would-be race car to wear or hold while walking, box cutters, construction paper, tape, and glue to decorate the car. People are encouraged to dress in their best race attire and to bring extra supplies if they want to.
This year’s Relay will also feature the Amazing Race game where people will visit various check-in sites and hunt for clues to compete in challenges throughout the ballpark. People can also get into the spirit by fighting back against cancer in the Fight Back karate demonstration booth where you can try your hand at board breaking with the best!
Currently, Relay For Life of McKinney is the third largest event in our region, the High Plains Division of the American Cancer Society. Our Relay is the third largest event behind the Relay For Life of Bay Area and the country of Guam. As of April 7, 161 survivors, 174 caregivers of cancer patients, and 825 participants has registered to participate in the 12th annual Relay For Life of McKinney. Also, 94 teams had been created for this year’s Relay event. To register as a participant or cancer survivor, become a sponsor, or to volunteer at the 2013 RFL of McKinney, please visit www.RelayForLife.org/McKinneyTx.
Celebrate. Remember. Fight Back. Hope Big.