Relay for Life Rally

Almost 80 people turned out for the Relay for Life Rally on Saturday, January 28. The event kicked off the 16th Annual Relay for Life of Pickens County. Various Relay events will be held throughout spring, but the main event will be on May 12. The Relay Rally was an open invitation to all Pickens County residents. The rally was set up like a “mini relay,” so that attendees could see what will be seen at the main Relay, from booths and opening ceremonies to survivor and care giver recognition. The rally also offered information on everything that Relay for Life is about, including starting a team, becoming a sponsor, and registering as a survivor and what programs are offered for survivors.

The Pickens County Relay started in 1996 with a committee of two people, and now there are 15 committee members with over 20 teams. The attendance number this year was the largest in Pickens’ Relay history.

This year’s theme, “Around the World, Passport to Hope,” will be seen throughout spring events for Relay. Each of the 20 teams in Pickens County will represent a different country. Each team’s “represented country”-themed food and homemade items will be featured in fundraisers throughout the spring, ultimately leading up to the May 12 Relay for Life.

According to Nicholoe Collins, “Relay is all about a community pulling together to fundraise, spread awareness, and Fight Back against a terrible disease. Without the community support, we would not have a Relay and there for would not have the programs that the money raised from Relay brings to our community. I am so proud of what our Relay has done and will continue to do in the years to come!”