“Cancer is very expensive,” said Lorraine Baa, director of the Puerto Rico Division of the American Cancer Society, which includes the Virgin Islands. And that’s the reason 28 relay teams are expected to make the traditional laps around Winston Wells ballfield Saturday at the annual ACS “Relay for Life.”
The annual event raises money for the organization’s efforts in helping those with cancer. Baa said that bills for one boy on St. Thomas have reached $380,000 “and climbing.”
The relay’s opening ceremony begins at 4 p.m. and will feature the announcement of the Miss Relay winners, clarifying that the girl who sold the most luminarias will win, in addition to a welcome address by Baa.
The survivors’ parade begins at 5 p.m. when cancer survivors will follow the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School Marching Band around the field. Others attending the event will join in.
The survivors’ dinner runs from 6 to 8:30 p.m. with sittings at 6 and 7:30 p.m. Baa said 90 cancer survivors plus a caregiver each have signed up.
While the survivors are enjoying dinner, other participants will begin their relay by following the Julius E. Sprauve Marching Band around the field.
A T-shirt contest and zumba dancing begins at 6:30 p.m. and Baa said that participants, using scissors, will redesign T-shirts leftover from last year’s Relay for Life.
The St. Thomas Majorettes, the Love City Pan Dragons and the Love City Leapers jump rope team will perform starting at 7 p.m.
The Take a Bite Out of Cancer Chicken Wing contest is on tap for 8 p.m. Baa said that each round of the contest will have progressively spicier wings.
“We will need to pull in the fire department,” she said of the wing’s hotness.
The Flights of Fire dance is scheduled for 8:40 p.m.
The luminaria ceremony begins at 9 p.m. with luminarias lit to honor those who survived cancer and to remember those who lost their battles. Luminarias will be on sale for $5 each at the Relay for Life.
An awards ceremony is slated for 10:05 p.m.
Live music by Paradise, Ah We, Inner Visions and other bands will play from 11 p.m. until 4 a.m. Sunday
A disk jockey will play Motown music from 4 to 5:45 a.m.
A sunrise service starts at 6 a.m.
The closing ceremony runs from 7 to 10 a.m.
It’s not too late to sign up a relay team. Call Baa at 775-5373.
