The Cape Coral Relay for Life kicked off its Carnival for the Cure Fighting Cancer in the Cape’s Big Easy celebration Monday night at The Pearl Lounge.
The Mardi Gras style celebration was held to inform and educate individuals about the relay, along with encouraging them to sign up for the event or to become a volunteer.
“We want to raise awareness for the event and get people involved,” Cape Coral Relay for Life chairwoman Donna Germain said.
Before the three-hour event started, the group had 39 teams signed up for the relay.
“We are shooting for 70 teams,” she said.
It is Germain’s fifth year being involved in the event and her first year being chairwoman. She said the Relay for Life is a “great community event,” adding that it is a great cause that “gives back and provides services for those who have cancer.”
Germain enjoys being involved in the cause because it gives her the chance to contribute to those who have cancer. She said one of the things she enjoys witnessing is children having the opportunity to spend a week at camp.
Crystal Kaczynski, vice chairwoman, said she has participated in the event for three years because a few of her family members and friends have had cancer over the years and she wanted to become involved.
“People should become involved for awareness and education,” she said, adding that Relay for Life provides individuals with a better understanding of what the organization does and provides an opportunity to give back to the community.
Kaczynski said Relay for Life is “all about everything we can do for those who have cancer.” She added that it is a “block party celebration.”
“That’s why we walk, because cancer never sleeps,” Kaczynski said of the relay’s motto.
The 18-hour event will provide entertainment, food, games, live music, activities for children, chance drawings and a Mz. Relay event, where boys and men dress up for a beauty pageant.
A Walk for the Cure will also take place during the event. The registration fee for those who wish to participate in the relay is $100.
Kaczynski said they are looking for volunteers.
She said this year’s goal for the Relay for Life is to have at least 200 cancer survivors present at the celebration in April. They currently have less than 10 cancer survivors registered.
Kaczynski said she would love to see more survivors register because “we do this for the survivors and we want them to sign up for the event.” The first lap during the event is designated for survivors.
Kaczynski said they have set a goal to raise $140,000 for the cause. As of Monday, they had raised $6,000.
A goal of $25,000 for sponsorships has also been set. The group has raised a little more than $17,000, with two huge donations from Balfour Beatty Construction and State Farm.
The Cape Coral Relay for Life will be held from 6 p.m. April 23 to noon April 24 at Ida S. Baker High School, 3500 Aqualinda Blvd.
For more information or to sign up for the relay, visit: www.relayforlife.org/capecoralfl.
The Pearl Lounge donated its space Monday, and local band Soap Box volunteered its time to provide music.