By Roslyn Ryan
Editor

After months of planning and preparation, Powhatan Relay For Life organizers are counting down the last days until the event.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature fundraising event, and raises money for cancer research and programs for those batting the disease. This year’s event, which will be the xx Relay held in Powhatan, will feature the traditional events, including the survivors’ lap and the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as Karaoke contests and games.

“It’s just a really good night,” said Judy Farr, one of the organizers of the event. Farr’s mother, Liz Benton, is a cancer survivor herself and the honorary chairperson for this year’s event.

One of the most moving moments of the evening in years past has been the lighting of the luminary candles, each of which represents a person who has battled cancer. As of last Friday, said Farr, they had over 500 candles designated for survivors and those who have been lost to cancer.

Gates open for the event at 6 p.m., with the opening ceremony scheduled for 7 p.m. Performing over the course of the evening will be local singer Katie Hash, Nashville recording artists Nikki Headley and Michelle Rae, Jeni Wenrich, Alex Farr, and the Little Zion Angelic Choir. Local DJ Jamie Timberlake will provide the rest of the musical entertainment throughout the evening.

During the luminary ceremony, participants will be treated to a performance by the Old Powhatan Baptist Church Bell Choir.

As is typical of all Relay For Life events, Powhatan’s Relay will last 12 hours. Individual walkers and teams will continue walking the junior high school track until closing ceremonies at 7 a.m.

For more information on this year’s Relay, contact Liz Benton at 378-8229.

Powhatan resident Jeni Wenrich wrote this song and will perform it at Friday’s Relay For Life at Powhatan Junior High School

RELAY FOR LIFE

I’ve heard about this cause, hear about it all year long
Raising money for a cure, how can they be so strong?
So many of them gone leaving loved ones far behind,
Yet in all of their despair they keep pushing for a sign

A sign that says they’re that much closer to saving a life
A sign that maybe THIS will be the year that Hope is more than just in sight
That they may finally see the battle as a war that will be won
For they’re fighting for themselves or their mother, father , daughter, son

Whether you would be the soldier in the battle for your life
Or the one that loads the weapon and holds on to help you fight
You might be the over comer or the one to hold a hand
Either way there’s strength in numbers and each year those numbers stand

They stand to say no to just living with the pain and fear and doubt
For they will make a difference, with their feet they will shout!
Shout a mighty roar like thunder that will soar to the highest height
They won’t give up on their loved ones or themselves for they will fight!

I have been here so many times before, watching all the people walking round and round
I never understood the reason why, they keep on coming It can’t possibly change a thing
And then I finally understood that all they did was not in vain
For each one has a story and a role for which to play.

Whether you would be the soldier in the battle for your life
Or the one that loads the weapon and holds on to help you fight
You might be the over comer or the one to hold a hand
Either way there’s strength in numbers and each year those numbers stand

They stand to say NO to just living with the pain and with the doubt
For they will make a difference, with their feet they will shout!
Shout a mighty roar like thunder that will soar to the highest height
They won’t give up on their loved ones or themselves for they will fight!