Wood County Relay for Life marches through 30th year
Participants begin lap two of the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life Saturday at Parkersburg’s City Park. This lap is dedicated to the family and caregivers of cancer survivors. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Raylee Townsend poses for a picture on a giant inflatable chair Saturday at the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life of Wood County at Parkersburg’s City Park. Townsend is a two-time cancer survivor and was crowned Survivor Miss Relay for the event. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Grand Marshal Patricia Goodwin leads the first lap Saturday during the 30th Anniversary of Relay For Life of Wood County Saturday at Parkerburg’s City Park. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Luminara bags line the pond Saturday at Parkersburg’s City Park during the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life of Wood County. 30 teams fought off the heat to participate in this year’s event. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Carmen Hathaway, senior development manager for the American Cancer Society’s Northeast Region, welcomes people Saturday to Parkersburg’s City Park Saturday for the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life. 30 teams fought off the heat to participate in this year’s event. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
The Parkersburg High School Naval Junior ROTC presented the colors Saturday during the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life of Wood County at Parkersburg’s City Park. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Participants begin lap two of the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life Saturday at Parkersburg’s City Park. This lap is dedicated to the family and caregivers of cancer survivors. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Raylee Townsend poses for a picture on a giant inflatable chair Saturday at the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life of Wood County at Parkersburg’s City Park. Townsend is a two-time cancer survivor and was crowned Survivor Miss Relay for the event. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Grand Marshal Patricia Goodwin leads the first lap Saturday during the 30th Anniversary of Relay For Life of Wood County Saturday at Parkerburg’s City Park. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Luminara bags line the pond Saturday at Parkersburg’s City Park during the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life of Wood County. 30 teams fought off the heat to participate in this year’s event. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
Carmen Hathaway, senior development manager for the American Cancer Society’s Northeast Region, welcomes people Saturday to Parkersburg’s City Park Saturday for the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life. 30 teams fought off the heat to participate in this year’s event. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
The Parkersburg High School Naval Junior ROTC presented the colors Saturday during the 30th Anniversary Relay For Life of Wood County at Parkersburg’s City Park. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)
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PARKERSBURG -- The Relay for Life of Wood County celebrated its 30th anniversary this weekend, bringing together 30 teams of cancer survivors, caregivers and supporters to honor those impacted by the disease and raise funds for cancer research.
"Thirty-one years ago in 1993, a woman named Sally Davis started planning an event and recruiting volunteers and sponsors. This would later become the Relay for Life of Wood County. The inaugural event was held in 1994," Event Lead Volunteer Jessica Ross said. "Unfortunately, Sally passed away earlier this year in May and she cannot be here with us. But in honor of her legacy and in memory of her relay spirit. I would like to officially welcome you to the Relay for Life of Wood County 30 year reunion."
Grand Marshal Patricia Goodwin shared her own battle with cancer, including multiple diagnoses and losses in her family. She found support and purpose through Relay for Life, and welcomed attendees to the 30-year reunion event.
"The mission for Relay for Life is the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten. That those who face cancer will be supported and that one day cancer will be eliminated," Goodwin told the crowd.
The event featured a luminaria ceremony to honor loved ones who have lost their battle with cancer and for those still fighting.
Nine-year-old Raylee Townsend, who is a two time cancer survivor and was crowned Survivor Miss Relay for the event, said she was looking forward to the luminaria ceremony because she was lighting one for her father, who is battling cancer.
As participants took to the track for the survivor, caregiver and team laps, they were reminded of the profound impact Relay for Life has had on the Parkersburg community over the past three decades -- and the hope that one day, cancer will be eliminated.
Douglass Huxley can be reached at dhuxley@newsandsentinel.com