Members of Team Holloman take part in Relay for Life

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Means
  • 49th Fighter Wing/Public Affairs
HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Members of Team Holloman joined with citizens of Alamogordo, N.M., to participate in the 10th Annual Otero County Relay for Life fundraiser May 30.

"The relay is about bringing awareness to the community and raising money for the American Cancer Society," said Ms. Apryl Stickels, Otero County Relay for Life event chairman.

Relay for Life is an event run by the American Cancer Society that honors cancer survivors and pays tribute to the lives lost while raising money to help fight the disease.

"There were approximately 500 people at the event at any given time," said Ms. Patti Ren, Relay for Life luminaria chaiman. "We had one of the biggest turn-outs in a long time."

According to Ms. Ren, the number of Holloman Airmen also increased over previous years.

"Holloman has always played an important part of Relay for Life," said Ms. Stickels.

One Airman took on the role as a team captain because of her family history with cancer.

"Cancer research is very important to me. My grandmother was affected by cancer in the past," said Airman 1st Class Cassandra Cooper, 49th Civil Engineer Squadron. "Relay for Life is a great place to come and talk with people and hear their story."

According to the Relay for Life website, team captains and team members are the "foot-soldiers" in the fight against cancer. Teams are made up of 8 to15 people who share a passion and commitment to raise money throughout the year.

The luminaria ceremony, which occurs at every Relay for Life event, offers people the opportunity to honor and remember those whose lives have been touched by cancer. The ceremony is also the main fundraising event since most luminaria orders are accompanied by a donation to the Relay.

"There were over 1,000 luminarias this year," said Ms. Ren. "We raised over $50,000 so far and the donations are still coming in."

This year, lightning and rain caused the Relay to shut down early before the luminaria ceremony could take place. It will be rescheduled and another date and location will be established, Ms. Ren said.

Luminaria are paper bags filled with sand and illuminated by a small light or candle. They are the essence of Relay for Life. Each luminaria bears the name of a person who has faced cancer, or those who have lost their battle.

"The spirits of everyone at the event were great," said Ms. Ren. "Everyone was very helpful."

For more information on the Relay for Life, visit their official website at www.relayforlife.org.