The first Relay for Life of Homer was held June 12-13 at the Homer High School track. This is a 20-hour event sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise monies to hopefully find a cure for cancer in our lifetime. As the event chairman of this wonderful event, I take my "relay hat" off to the beautiful people of Homer and the surrounding area.

Sixteen teams out of 22 participated in this event. We had the honor of having Executive Director Sarah Robinson from Anchorage and Staff Partner Wes Clanton down for the event. The opening ceremony was started off with our national flag and state flag being carried by Joan and Ciara of Homer Emblem Club No. 350; Steve Napier from ABI led us in prayer followed by some opening remarks by Mayor Hornaday. Then it was a sea of purple as cancer survivors took to the track for their "victory lap." Of course the caregivers were not left out because they joined the survivors for a stroll. Then it was teams and "let the Relay begin."

There were several activities that took place during the relay with prizes handed out for best campsite, best bed hair and best pajama contest and one cannot forget the best midnight snack contest. A big thank-you goes out to All Hopped Up for donating some coffee punch cards. A great big thanks goes to the members of the Relay for Life of Homer committee: Team Development -- Shirley Fedora and Helen Desjardin; Survivorship -- Lorelei Collins; Youth Involvement -- Brandon Radeke; Logistics -- Jill Nicolini; Registration/Accounting -- DeeDee Shoultz and Rama Flyum; Luminaria -- Marilyn Parrett; Entertainment/Activities -- KT Kuklis.

To our event sponsors we also owe another thank-you: Midnight Sun Oncology; South Peninsula Hospital; Seldovia Village Tribe; Ulmer's; Kendall Toyota of Anchorage; Homer Emblem Club No. 350; First National Bank of Anchorage; Homer Medical Clinic; Gigs Beads N Things; Bear Creek Winery; Redden Marine Homer; Tech Connect Inc.; Barb Scalzi; Kachemak Bay Lions; Homer Electric Association; Moore & Moore Services and Collins Excavation.

Because of the wonderful people of Homer and the surrounding areas and the 22 teams/volunteers, the Relay for Life of Homer raised $61, 483.17 and there is still money coming in. The top five teams were WAKO -- We All Know One; South Peninsula Hospital; Team Triumph; We're Not Just Strollin for the Halibut; and Diann's Dollies. Top individual fundraiser went to Scott Harding, team captain of WAKO.

If you would like to be a part of this fantastic event for next year, please contact me at (907) 235-7492 or e-mail me at ladylill@gci.net.

Carolyn Bishop, event chairman

Relay for Life of Homer