Erin Heilman participated in the New Tampa Relay for Life to raise money for the American Cancer Society (ACS) for the first time in 2007. She says she continued to participate year after year, and in 2012, was shocked to receive a cancer diagnosis herself at age 37.
“Now I’ve seen both sides of this event, as both a participant and a survivor,” she says. This year, Heilman is heading up the event as its co-chair, along with her friend Buffy Atkinson. “With all the mixed emotions the event brings out, it is truly a celebration,” says Heilman.
The New Tampa Relay for Life will be held from Friday, April 8, 6 p.m., until 6 a.m. on Saturday, April 9, around the track at Freedom High in Tampa Palms.
The annual event is always fun for families and event organizers invite everyone to attend. At 9 p.m., luminarias that have been decorated in honor of cancer survivors and in memory of those loved ones lost to cancer will be lit, which is always a beautiful tribute around the track. At 11 p.m., registered attendees under the age of 18 will need to have a wristband showing they have turned in paperwork and are allowed to remain, while registered team members will continue walking the track throughout the night and into the morning.
Heilman encourages people to support the Relay, which raises money for programs that help cancer patients.
“I’ve actually used these programs myself,” she says, explaining one resource that was especially meaningful to her was the 24-hour support line she called when she received her diagnosis and was struggling with how to tell her then-seven-year-old son. Other programs include rides to and from doctor appointments for patients who need them, and funding for the Hope Lodge at the Moffitt Cancer Center, which provides a beautiful home for patients who have to travel long distances for treatments.
The New Tampa relay will be filled with booths that sport the event’s fairy tale theme, “Once Upon A Time,” including Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Alice in Wonderland and many others. Heilman says her favorite theme was chosen by the team at Harold H. Clark Elementary, the movie “Brave,” to reflect that characteristic of cancer patients. There will be food, games, raffles, a giant inflatable, a scavenger hunt, three-legged race, frisbee, Zumba, a talent show and even a dance competition. All money raised that evening goes to the New Tampa Relay.
Last year, the event had 42 teams and raised more than $76,000. This year, there are 30 teams signed up to participate so far – and still time for new teams to join. Event organizers are hoping to raise $82,250.
If you are a cancer survivor, be sure to register at the event website and come out to participate. The event kicks off with a “survivor lap,” where all cancer survivors and their caregivers walk the first lap around the track. Each survivor receives a t-shirt and medal (new this year) and registered caregivers receive a pin. Dinner also is provided for all survivors and caregivers.
“We want survivors there because we are there to celebrate them,” says Erin.
To learn more about the ACS New Tampa Relay, or to sign up a team, make a donation, or register as a survivor, visit RelayForLife.org/NewTampaFL.
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