CLEARFIELD – Purple is a color of inspiration for the American Cancer Society, as it decorates the organization’s spirited battle to overcome the disease. But Susan Babik, of the ACS, said they’ll draw on community spirit to strengthen its stand against cancer during the “Paint the Town Purple” initiative from May 10 – 21.
“It’s to celebrate our fight against cancer. It’s to remember those we’ve lost. It’s to fight back,” Babik said. She said they have adorned Clearfield, Curwensville and Grampian with community banners. In addition, she said they’ve encouraged local merchants to embellish their storefronts with purple displays and to compete in a community contest.
Babik said local merchants can still enter the best purple display contest by contacting the local office at 765-1315. She said the Clearfield County Commissioners will judge the competition and name winners in each of the two categories.
Babik said they will present a trophy to the “most spirited community.” She said it would serve as a “traveling” trophy between the Clearfield and Curwensville communities from year-to-year. She said individual trophies will be presented to the “most spirited” merchant in each of the communities.
“It’s a huge, huge effort. It’s to create awareness for Relay for Life. We want to get the word out that it’s not just for relay teams. It’s for the community. We want the entire community to come out and take a couple laps,” Babik said of the Relay event slated for June 5 – 6 at the Clearfield Fairgrounds.
“(Our initiative) has been widely supported through the local mayors and the county commissioners. We’ve always had a strong support with a great base of volunteers from Clearfield County.”
According to her, they’ve had an “overwhelming” response to “Paint the Town Purple” from the local merchants. She said they’ve taken it upon themselves to decorate their establishments and in turn raise awareness.
“It shows that the community cares and supports us. We’re all affected by cancer. Relay for Life is a year-around effort; people support it throughout the year. But our Relay is the celebration at the end. It’s a big party, celebrating our fight to end cancer,” she said.
Babik said they have ordered Lapel pins and also have purple ribbons available for the 12-day event. She said they would like community members to wear purple on both Fridays during the event. She indicated they had a local volunteer who had “Paint the Town Purple” T-shirts printed.
According to the ACS Web site, homeowners, restauranteurs and retail business owners all have the “power of purple” and to spread hope into their respective communities. They provided the following ideas for doing so:
- Decorate your home or store windows with a purple display.
- Hold a Main Street contest for the Best Purple Window display.
- Encourage businesses and stores to sell and proudly display Relay for Life “Sun and Moon” cards.
- Display a Relay for Life yard sign in your front yard.
- Decorate your front entrance, your fence, or your door with purple balloons.
- Paint your porch light purple or insert a purple bulb.
- Tie purple ribbons around trees in your neighborhood.
- Wear your favorite Relay Gear or any purple clothing.
- Turn your town landmarks purple. (You can work with municipal officials to light buildings, statues, etc. with purple lights)
- Create a mock Relay for Life campsite in your town square and use as a basis to solicit media coverage.
- Decorate the exterior of your City Hall with purple.
- Ask your town mayor to proclaim an official Relay For Life kick-off day in your community. Relay For Life Proclamation
History of Relay for Life
According to the Relay for Life Web site, the American Cancer Society’s relay effort began in Tacoma, WA. In the mid-1980s, Dr. Gordy Klatt, a Tacoma colorectal surgeon, not only desired to enhance the income of his local ACS office, but also to show support of his patients who had battled cancer. He decided to personally raise money for the fight through a personal love – running marathons.
In May 1985, Dr. Klatt spent 24 hours circling the track at Baker Stadium at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma. He ran for more than 83 miles. In his effort’s inaugural year, Dr. Klatt had nearly 300 of his friends, family and patients watch, as he ran and walked the course. Through the night, his friends donated $25 to run or walk with Dr. Klatt for 30 minutes. His efforts raised $27,000 to fight cancer.
While circling the track those 24 hours, Dr. Klatt thought of ways for others to take part in his mission to fight cancer. He envisioned a 24-hour team relay event that could raise more money to fight cancer. Over the next few months, he pulled together a small committee to plan the first team relay event, known as the City of Destiny Classic 24-Hour Run Against Cancer.
In 1986, with the help of Pat Flynn – now known as the “Mother of Relay” – 19 teams took part in the first team Relay event on the track at the historic Stadium Bowl and raised $33,000. An indescribable spirit prevailed at the track and in the tents that dotted the infield, according to the Web site.
Relay events are presently held in communities across the globe to give individual opportunities to “celebrate the lives of people who have battled cancer, remember loved ones lost and fight back against the disease.”
At the Relay event, teams of people camp out at a local high school, park or fairground. They then take turns walking or running around a track or path. Each team is asked to have a representative on the track at all times during the event. Because cancer never sleeps, Relays are overnight events up to 24 hours in length.
“Relay for Life is more than just a fundraiser. It’s a life-changing experience. At Relay, every person in the community has a chance to celebrate, remember, and fight back. And every person who participates joins others around the globe as part of this worldwide movement to end cancer,” the Web site reads.
“Everyone’s reason to Relay is as unique as their own personal story. At Relay, you can find healing, comfort, and support from others who have faced cancer or who have lost a loved one to the disease. You have a chance to meet people in the community who are equally as passionate about finding an end to cancer in our lifetime.”