Every year, like clockwork, communities around the country get together for one cause: to fight back against cancer during Relay for Life.
For years the American Cancer Society's signature all-night event existed separately in both Destin and South Walton, but this year, the two communities came together to bring the Emerald Coast Relay for Life to be held Friday at Destin Middle School.
"It was decided that since Destin and South Walton were essentially so close, that they should be one event to cut down costs and be a larger, better, louder relay," said Valerie Brunson, who has volunteered as a Relay for Life committee member for nine years.
Together, the Destin and South Walton committees have made impressive strides. So far, they've raised more than $46,000 and signed up 39 teams to participate in the event.
"It's more than we've ever had at either location," Brunson said. "Each team has been really creative in raising money from chili cook-offs to yard sales to even getting Tasered."
That idea came from one of the military teams, the 36th EWS Gremlins, who promised donors that if they reached $1,000 in funds, a team member would get Tased.
Those proceeds help not only the American Cancer Society, but they fund local programs such as “Look Good Feel Good” offered at Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast, which provides cancer patients tutorials and materials to feel good about their appearance, and “Road to Recovery,” which connects patients with volunteers to drive them to appointments.
This year's Relay for Life will begin, as always, with cancer survivors doing their victory lap around the Destin Middle School track. After that, at least one member of each team has to be on the track throughout the event, which ends at 6 a.m. Saturday. Even if you're not on a team, the relay is open to everyone and anyone wanting to join in.
"Relay is a time when the community can come together to remember loved ones we've lost, celebrate survivors and fight back against cancer," Brunson said.
Each relay has its own theme and at this year's event, the theme is Heroes for Hope.
"All of the teams will make a team cape for their member to wear on the track," Brunson added. "Survivors will also wear capes during their lap — since they're the true heroes."
Events such as a Miss Relay pageant (for the guys), live entertainment, games and a DJ for the entire event helps keep the spirit awake when participants are fighting the urge to sleep.
"Cancer never sleeps and neither do we," Brunson said.
Brunson began volunteering with Relay for Life as a way to give back and honor the loved ones she's lost to cancer throughout her life, including her late boss at Emerald Coast Title Services, Delyse Dearman, who lost her long battle to cancer Jan. 1.
"To me, Relay for Life is part of the healing process," she said.
Relay for Life began in May 1985 when a Washington surgeon, Gordy Klatt, ran for 24 hours around a local track raising $27,000 for American Cancer Society. A year later, 340 supporters joined the event.
To spread awareness and get more people involved is just what Brunson hopes to do each year.
"I hope people walk away with an understanding of what relay is, a desire to be more involved and give awareness to how important the fight against cancer really is," she said. "One person started this event and now it's worldwide. One person really does make a difference."
WANT TO GO?
The Emerald Coast Relay for Life will begin at 6 p.m. May 16 at the Destin Middle School track, located at, 4608 Legendary Marina Dr. For more information, or to donate, go to www.relayforlife.org and look for Emerald Coast Relay for Life on Facebook.