2016 Relay for Life

69 / 99

2016 RELAY FOR LIFE MAGAZINE LINCOLN DAILY June 21, 2016 Page 69
Mr. Allen reminded the kids that one in three
people will be diagnosed with some type of
cancer. He noted that meant that more than
likely everyone there knew someone who has
fought or is still fighting this disease, including
members of the Northwest and Jefferson staff.
The theme on Monday was butterflies. Mr.
Allen said there would be a new station for
the relay, the “Hope Takes Flight” butterfly
station. Allen explained that at the station were
drawings of butterflies and crayons. Each child
would be permitted to color a butterfly in any
way they wished. The butterflies will then go
to the Logan County Relay for Life event where
they will be displayed for everyone to see.
Mr. Allen then called forward the survivors in
attendance. There was four total, with three
of them being school staff members. Each
survivor was given a flower by Mrs. Dietrich.
Dietrich then gave the kids a rundown of the
various stations: Sun safety; Go, Slow, and No
Foods; Fitness, Butterfly Stories, a rest stop
with water and watermelon, and an anti-tobacco
station located just inside the school.
The plan was for the children to spend
10-minute intervals at each station, and in
between stations complete laps around the
playground.
The four survivors were the first to do a
lap around the playground. As they neared
completion of their lap, Mr. Allen led the
children in giving applause and cheers for the
four. The morning was then opened for kids
to start taking their laps as well as visiting the
various stations.
Before they began walking, Mrs. Dietrich said,
“During the relay, you may get tired, but I want
you to remember that cancer doesn’t sleep,
cancer doesn’t rest.” Referring to the various
themes of the past week she concluded, “We’re
working hard to help fight cancer, we’re going
to leave it in the sand, we’re going to put a
cap on it, we’re going to stamp it out. All the
things we have done this week making it part of
history. You are going to work hard here today,
remembering that our four survivors here, and
all the other survivors you know, have worked
really hard and had a hard time with cancer.”
With that, the Relay began. Children were
divided into groups, and some went to the
various stations while others began making their
laps.