The fifth annual Relay for Life in Bloomington promises to be bigger than any to date, organizers assert.
There will be more participants, more fun and food, and a little mischief, they promise. And there will be solemn moments honoring those who have lost battles with cancer and those still fighting the disease.
"It feels like everything has come together," said Relay co-chair Karen Larkin, whose family will again be marching.
"Planning this year has been smoother and the community is more aware of our event," Larkin said. "It's been easier because more people are willing to help out."
Slated to begin at 6 p.m. Friday, Aug. 4, and end at 7 a.m. the following morning, the Relay for Life is a major fund-raising effort for the American Cancer Society. Proceeds go to research programs as well as those that aid patients.
Teams will walk, run, or otherwise propel themselves around the track at Bloomington Stadium at 90th Street and Queen Avenue. Participants will earn pledge money from supporters.
Along the way, there will be various other fund-raising events and fun such as movies, games and more.
"It's a blast," Larkin said. "It's like an all-night party."
There are to be earnest moments, too, she said. After all, the event is designed, in part, as a memorial to those who have succumbed to cancer.
The luminary ceremony (when hundreds of candles are lit as a memorial to cancer victims) is an emotional time for many, Larkin said.
"There are many tears at that point," she said. "For some people, it's a healing moment."
But overall, she added, the mood at the Relay for Life is joyful, even playful.
"It's a happy celebration for the cancer survivors who are there," Larkin said.
This year, the atmosphere could be especially riotous with the participation of Brenda Elsagher's team. She is a Burnsville resident and humorist who owns the Alpha Hair Salon in the Village Center Shopping Mall in Bloomington.
Elsagher was named the Twin Cities Funniest Person in a competition at Acme Comedy Club in Minneapolis a couple of years ago.
She organized a team of friends and staff at the salon, and eventually the effort ballooned into four teams. The staff picked a slogan "Ropin' for a Cure" and decorated the salon in a western-style theme complete with saddles, cowboy boots and hay bales.
A Richfield native, Elsagher, 43, is also a survivor of colorectal cancer. Her illness was diagnosed in 1995, and she is approaching her fifth year of being cancer-free.
She will speak at the lighting of the luminaries. Elsagher said her talk will be inspirational. She said it will include personal insights but declined to say much about it.
"For now, I'm going to keep it secret," she said.
Like many people who participate in the Relay, other members of Elsagher's family have battled cancer. Her mother, Helen Elson, was diagnosed with breast cancer just two months ago.
Elson will join Elsagher in the survivor's march, the event that opens each Relay.
The staff at her salon is enthusiastic about the relay, she said.
"They've supported me beautifully," Elsagher said. "They came up with the slogan.
"It started with one person from the shop, then some customers and then some family and friends, and we ended up with four teams from the salon. We've got people age 8 to 82."
"She'll bring some levity to this," Larkin said of Elsagher. "She's really jumped into this with both feet. Being a cancer survivor herself really ties it all together."
Crews of Bloomington firefighters will be at the Relay again this year.
Larkin's husband, Rick, himself a firefighter, made a pitch to others a year ago, and a crew from Station I joined the Relay. They were striking figures as they traversed the track in full firefighting gear.
They had so much fun last year that two crews from Station IV have signed up, Larkin said.
Staging spots (something like campsites assigned to each team) near the firefighters are in high demand.
"We have teams signing up wanting to be near the firefighters because they bring so much enthusiasm to the event," Larkin said. "They're the life of the party."
Other Larkin family members have boosted the Relay, too. Her son, Jacob, 10, sought pledges from classmates and teachers at his school, Poplar Bridge Elementary, and wound up getting teachers and other students to join teams.
Among other highlights of this year's Relay:
- Bone marrow testing for those who wish to become potential donors (marrow transplants are helpful in several types of cancer). Ordinarily there is a fee associated with the test but a Minnetonka firm has agreed to underwrite the cost for Relay team members.
- Local Chrysler-Plymouth dealers will provide free test drives of new models. For drivers who fill out a marketing survey, they will donate $5 to the Cancer Society.
- A silent auction, and a dunk tank, with proceeds to the society.
- An Eden Prairie children's fitness center will set up equipment at the relay to entertain children. Puppet shows, tumbling, singing and dancing will be offered.
- Food ranging from pizza to ice cream treats will be delivered throughout the evening and early-morning hours by area restaurants.
- A Twin Cities public relations firm will show films throughout the night.
- "Theme laps" around the track are scheduled hourly beginning at 11 p.m. Participants will dress according to the themes, which range from "Gilligan's Island" to "Winter Wonderland."
- A breakfast of fresh bagels will arrive around 6 a.m. courtesy of the family of baker Darrel Mickshl.
Other events are still being planned and donations are still being accepted.
To arrange donations or obtain more information, telephone Larkin at 952-893-0981 or co-chair Kristin Warn at 952-888-4198.
