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Relay for Life celebrates 25 years next month

By Sarah Shurge texts, set up a Facebook Fundraiser,
Relay for Life of Westland-West- and more.
ern Wayne County (WWWC) is cele- 4. Celebrate - Come to a Relay
brating 25 years of fighting cancer event to support the community,
and creating friendship. honor survivors, and celebrate the
“Everyone has been touched by impact.
cancer in some way – whether it’s a There are currently about 20
family member, friend, coworker, teams registered for Relay for Life
neighbor, or themselves,” said WWWC.
Meriem Kadi, Relay for Life WWWC Kadi started a team – Family and
Community/Media & Sponsorships Friends for Life – nearly 25 years ago
Lead. “We’re better together. If we after her father passed away from
team up and do it together, we’re colon cancer in 1999.
going to succeed, rise above, and de- “I feel like a small fish in this big
feat this c-word.” pond, but I felt like I just had to do
Relay For Life is more than a something. I couldn't sit back. This
walk, it’s a chance to come together is a small part of how I can help,”
in your local community to celebrate said Kadi.
cancer survivors, remember loved Kadi’s mother is a breast cancer
ones lost, and fight back against survivor and Kadi’s sister was diag-
every cancer. nosed with breast cancer six years
“When you say Relay, people ago and is still battling.
think it's a run, but it's not, it's a “We want everyone to be sur-
walk,” said Kadi. “People can come vivors,” said Kadi.
and go as they please.” In May 1985, Dr. Gordon “Gordy”
Relay for Life WWWC will cele- Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours
brate 25 years on Saturday, June around a track in Tacoma, Washing-
7th, from 11:00 a.m. - midnight at ton, raising money to help the Amer-
Westland Farmers Market (Tattan ican Cancer Society.
Park, 1901 N. Carlson, Westland). Friends, family, and patients
The day will be filled with a live watched and supported him as he
DJ, dancing, bounce house, face walked and ran more than 83.6
painting, food, entertainment, miles and raised $27,000 through
themed laps, and a luminaria cere- pledges to help save lives from can-
mony. At nightfall, the Luminaria Cere- afford rides to their cer.
Following the opening ceremony mony is held. These homemade appointments/chemo. We’re helping That was the first Relay for Life.
with a survivor speaker, survivors paper lanterns, decorated with the in every way we can.” “This is about perseverance. For
hold a banner and walk the first lap names of loved ones, are lit in honor There are four ways you can 25 years, we [Relay for Life WWWC]
to get the relay started. Survivors are and in memory of a life touched by Relay: have stayed together this long,” said
then treated to luncheon. cancer. The ceremony includes a mo- 1. Sign up - You can choose to Kadi. “Any money we raise will be sig-
In honor of 25 years, there will be ment of silence for those lives lost. lead a team in your community, join nificant and help in some way. We’re
a birthday theme this year where you “Relay raises money for all can- an existing team, or participate solo. there for everyone. We walk for the
can decorate your campsite for the cers. Not just one, but all,” said Kadi. 2. Recruit friends and family - people we don't know.”
theme. There are different themed “A lot of the money stays within the However you choose to participate, The Relay for Life WWWC Event
laps throughout the day, including a community. Yes, it raises money for get friends and family to join you.
lap dedicated for first responders. research, but it’s also helping people 3. Raise money - Send emails and See Relay, page 5

The Wayne Dispatch · May 2025 · 3