Relay for Life to host virtual ceremony Sept. 19

Robert Perea, The Fernley Reporter

Ordinarily, a few hundred people, or maybe more, would have gathered at the Out-of-Town Park one weekend in July to honor and mourn those lost to cancer, celebrate those who’ve fought it and recovered, and raise money to help those who are afflicted in the future.

Instead, the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions on gatherings have made 2020 anything other than ordinary.

That’s why, out of an abundance of caution, the American Cancer Society suspended all in-person events for the remainder of the year, including all northern Nevada Relay for Life events.

But the fight against cancer continues. American cancer Society staff and volunteers from the Relays for Life of Fernley/Rural Nevada, Reno/Sparks, Carson City/Douglas County and Elko have joined together to create a Virtual Relay Experience, which will be held Saturday, Sept. 19, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The event can be joined live on the Facebook page: Northern California Northern Nevada Relay for Life Team.

It will include an opening ceremony at 10 a.m., as well as the traditional survivor recognition, sponsor and team recognition, the luminaria ceremony, which is one of the highlights of the annual in-person event, and a closing ceremony.

The highlight of the event will be the Luminaria Ceremony hosted by Relay for Life of Carson City and Douglas County. The ceremony will be live and all are welcome to drive-thru Battle Born Harley Davidson, 2900 Research Drive in Carson City. Music will be provided by Phil with Rolling Thunder, Canyon White and Mandy. Luminaria bags will be available for sale prior to the start of the event. For more information, please call Mary Bowers at 775-220-2100 or email at maryrelayforlife@charter.net.