Community Corner

Relay For Life Set For Friday

Event raises money for cancer research and similar causes

On Friday night the football field at will be packed with students ready to help out a worth cause. 

The annual Relay For Life is set to kick off with a survivor dinner at 5 p.m. followed by the opening ceremonies at 7 p.m. Eileen Eccleston, the school's nurse said it has become a memorable event for the students that take part. "Everybody's committed to making the event as meaningful as possible," she said. 

Eccleston is a co-chairperson for the Relay, which she said involves teams of students and community members walking the track all night to help raise funds. It will not be easy but she said the participants are determined. "Cancer never sleeps and neither will we until we find a cure," she said of the motto for the walk. 

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This is the fourth year Howell is holding the event and Eccleston said the goal is to surpass . That puts the goal this year close to $60 thousand.

An all night event at the high school is not an easy thing to put together and Eccleston said planning started back in October. Seeing the hard work the students put in has been "inspiring," for someone who sees them on a daily basis. "Teenagers get a bad rap," she said. "They have really been putting in countless hours (in preparation)."

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These days Eccleston said it is almost impossible for someone to not be impacted by cancer. Whether they themselves are a survivor, they know someone who is or they know someone who has lost their battle with the disease. "They feel it's very individualized," she said. "Everyone has their own story."

The story hit close to home this week for Howell residents with the passing of 12-year-old Madison Beggs. "Team Madi" was scheduled to walk in the event to represent the Land O'Pines graduate and Eccleston said she will be remembered at the event. That will likely include a moment of silence in her honor and a brief tribute by a student who held a fundraiser for her family. 

For more information on how you can help, check out the event's website.


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