On Friday, June 14, local participants will join together at the annual Relay For Life of Tulsa at University of Tulsa’s Dietler Commons to help beat our biggest rival – cancer. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. with a Survivor Dinner, followed by the Opening Ceremony at 6 p.m. and the Luminaria Ceremony at 10 p.m.
“Relay For Life is the signature fundraising event of the American Cancer Society,” said Christie Gibbs, Community Development Manager for ACS-Tulsa. “We are proud to bring our community this moving and impactful event each year. We have a long tradition in the Tulsa area of uniting people in their passion for this cause to raise funds that are invested in the best research proposals out there and high impact access to care efforts.”
The theme for this year’s event is “Lights! Camera! Cure!” Local food trucks will be on-site, as well as live music from local bands. Kids can enjoy a bounce house, face painting and balloon animals, and everyone can participate movie trivia and a celebrity look-alike contest.
“Anyone who participates in Relay For Life is contributing to the largest nationwide community effort to save lives from cancer,” Gibbs added, “and we are so excited to be doing our part right here in Tulsa!”
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is the only organization fighting cancer on every front. Funds raised from Relay For Life events allow the ACS to attack cancer in dozens of ways, each of them critical to achieving a world without cancer – from developing breakthrough therapies and innovative research, to building supportive communities that come together to help those affected by cancer with access to treatment. The ACS provides empowering resources to deploying activists to raise awareness and develop game-changing approaches to address the cancer burden for all people.
Founded by Dr. Gordy Klatt in Tacoma, Washington, in 1985, the Relay For Life movement of 3.5 million participants across the world unite at more than 4,500 events to celebrate people who have been touched by cancer, remember loved ones lost, and take action for lifesaving change. Symbolizing the battle waged around the clock by those facing cancer, the event can last up to 24 hours and empowers communities to take a stand against cancer. Since 1985, Relay For Life events in the U.S. have raised more than $6.3 billion. Join or donate to the Relay For Life of Tulsa: www.relayforlife.org/TulsaMetroOK