by MINDY KAYL
Special to the Islands’ Sounder
Noelle Benepe and Dyan Holmes are both homegrown, island girls who graduated from Orcas High School in 2007. They are doing their part to help the community – and all those affected by cancer – as organizers of the 2009 Orcas Island Relay for Life.
“We are trying to make this an Orcas event, by bringing island life and an island theme to this, even though it is part of a larger organization – the American Cancer Society,” Benepe said.
Benepe and Holmes are co-chairs of the walk, which will take place on Friday, July 10 starting at 7 p.m. and will end 18 hours later on Saturday, July 11 at 1 p.m. at the Orcas Island School Field. The two are motivated by family and community members who they have watched defeat cancer and appreciate the strength and dedication that caregivers offer. They are amazed by the number of survivors on Orcas. They want the event to “celebrate those who have conquered cancer, remember those who we have lost and fight back for those who are still battling.”
They encourage survivors and caregivers to make the first lap a “Glory Walk” and help kick off the event on July 10.
The Relay for Life is an annual national fundraising effort for the American Cancer Society. The concept is to always have someone walking on the relay course. People are encouraged to form teams of eight to 15 people. There is an entry fee of $100 for each group.
“It is easy to form a team,” Holmes says. “A team captain decides to form a team and starts recruiting members.”
The first team captain meeting will be Tuesday, March 24 at 6 p.m. above Orcas Homegrown Market.
Last year, each team had its own area designated along the course where members could rest, eat, and cheer on the other walkers.
Holmes and Benepe are hoping to double last year’s numbers of six teams and around 50 people. The event has been shortened to 18 hours because, as Benepe explained, “We want people to still have their weekend; summer is such a busy time.”
There are many ways for people and businesses to participate, including sponsorship, event set-up and clean-up. Any effort of support is encouraged, no matter how large or small.
NAPA is donating helium for balloons and Island Hardware will be selling Relay Hope Bracelets. Others can donate services, like a massage or house cleaning. Local bands are being asked to provide entertainment for the walkers. Last year Ray’s Pharmacy washed windows and raised $600, while Islanders Bank held a bake sale that raised $1,100.
For more information or to sign up, call Dyan Holmes at 317-6992 or Noelle Benepe at 298-2714.
