American Cancer Society Relay For Life in Gilbert
Cancer Survivor Recognition and Luminaria Ceremony

The American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life is an overnight community celebration where groups of friends, families, neighbors and coworkers form teams to walk or run around a track, to raise spirits, awareness and funds to fight cancer through American Cancer Society research, education, advocacy and patient and family services. For the past six years, the Gilbert Public Schools’ faculty, staff, students, and families have all lent their time, support and fundraising to make the Relay For Life of Gilbert’s event one of the top fundraising events in the Great West division of ACS. Last year’s event in Gilbert raised just over $180,000 with more than 1,300 participants on 121 fundraising teams from the Gilbert community. This year’s event with Survivors Lap and Luminaria Ceremony will be held at Gilbert High School beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 16, through 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 17.

GPS’ support of this memorable and life-changing event has been instrumental in the success of the event each year with many of the committee and teams comprised of school clubs and organizations, faculty, staff, and administration. Clubs and classes such as National Honor Society, GC105, Community Service Club, and others have historically signed on to provide thousands of volunteer hours in planning and organizing for the event, as well as the thousands of dollars they have raised to support the charitable cause.

This year’s planning committee includes Superstition Springs Elementary student and cancer survivor, Katie Doty’s parents, Deanna and Mike, and Mesquite Junior High’s student and cancer survivor, Halley Dirks’ parents, Amy and Brad. Finley Farms Elementary staff and students actually created their own take on the event a few years ago by hosting a “mini relay” that is now featured in a video distributed all across the country by the American Cancer Society.

At the Relay For Life event, cancer survivors (anyone who has ever been diagnosed with cancer) from Gilbert and surrounding areas are invited to walk the first lap of the American Cancer Society Relay For Life to celebrate their victory over cancer. Each cancer survivor receives a free T-shirt and ribbon to wear while walking the track for their lap, which kicks off the 12-hour relay event. There is no cost to participate, and survivor and caregiver guests are invited to attend a hosted Survivor and Caregiver dinner reception that will be provided this year by BJ’s Brewhouse Restaurant of Mesa. Cancer survivors should register online at www.relayforlife.org/gilbertaz.

The Relay For Life Luminaria Ceremony remembers those lost to cancer and honors cancer survivors. Individuals or companies can make contributions to light a luminaria to honor or remember survivors at the event. Each dedicated luminaria will be displayed around the track at the Relay For Life event and the Luminaria ceremony will take place that evening beginning at 9:00 p.m.

Entertainment, fun activities, and various competitions such as a Newspaper and Duct Tape Fashion Show and ‘Mr. Relay’ will take place throughout the night because “Cancer Never Sleeps.” The general public is welcome to attend the event through midnight, when the gates are secured for the evening.

Teams of up to 15 participants can continue to register online at www.relayforlife.org/gilbertaz and the team registration fee will be discounted to $5.00 through the month of February. Teams with youth participants must have a chaperone registered on their roster in order to stay through the night. Each participant will receive a team t-shirt, and they are encouraged to raise $100.00 each.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering, and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy, and service. Founded in 1913 and with national headquarters in Atlanta, the Society has 13 regional Divisions and local offices in 3,400 communities, involving millions of volunteers across the United States. For more information, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

Heart and Soul Dining and Dancing Benefit

The Mahnah Club will present its Heart and Soul Dining and Dancing Benefit on March 27. The event will benefit the Child Crisis Center, Save the Family Foundation, Mahnah Club Scholarship Fund and other charities.

The benefit will be held at the Fiesta Inn Conference Center, 2100 S. Priest Drive, Tempe, AZ 85282. Cocktails will be served at 6 p.m. with dinner served at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $115 if purchased before March 6 and $125 if purchased after March 6. For more information, visit www.mahnahclub.org.

Register Now for CLUB DISCOVERY Enrichment Program

Registration is currently underway for Club Discovery, an enrichment program sponsored by Gilbert Public Schools Community Education department for local elementary-age children. The program provides participants the best in after-school enrichment. Participants may register on line, by mail, or by visiting the Community Education Department at 6839 East Guadalupe Road, Mesa (Southeast corner of Power and Guadalupe Road).

Classes for the Spring session include: All the Right Moves, Athletes in Training, Augusta Ranch Golf, Building Bonanza, Chess Emporium, Elements Music, Equine-Assisted Learning, Lil’ and Junior Artists, Mad Science, NRG Cheer and Gymnastics, Total Golf Adventures, Young Champions, and Young Rembrandts. Transportation must be provided for Augusta Ranch Golf and the Young Champions programs. Participants must register for Young Champions at www.youngchampionsofamerica.com or call 480-603-3780.

Please contact Community Education at 480-892-9089 or visit www.gilbert.k12.az.us/communityed/clubdiscovery.php if you have questions.