18th Relay for Life Bedford is Happening on May 27-28

May 27, 2023 will kick off the 18th Relay for Life event in Bedford. Pictured is the Relay for Life Survivor lap from 2017. Courtesy Image.

Submitted by Bedford Relay for Life

Cancer survivors and caregivers, families, students, and others are invited to join Bedford’s 18^th Relay for Life Event on Saturday, May 27 at the Bedford High School track.

Organized by the American Cancer Society and the local Relay for Life Committee, Bedford’s event offers something for everyone. Attendees will celebrate those who survived or are currently battling cancer while honoring lives lost to the disease. Participants who have been working hard to fundraise year-round will walk the track throughout the night to symbolize how “cancer never sleeps” and neither will “we.”

This year’s Bedford Relay for Life will have a special Survivor/Caregiver tent and ceremonies, the Kid’s Tent, and the relay.

There will be fun activities for kids such as guided crafts and a bouncy house, competitive games on the turf (water balloon toss, musical chairs, etc.), food for purchase, and a raffle for dozens of high-value items. All money raised at the event goes directly to the American Cancer Society.

Are you a cancer survivor or caregiver? Do you know someone who had cancer or is currently battling it who would be interested in attending? This event is a chance for cancer survivors and caregivers to meet and connect with others in the community who have been touched by the disease. They will also be honored throughout the event.

Here are key elements for cancer survivors/caregivers on May 27:

4:30 p.m. Opening Ceremony
4:45 p.m. Survivors/Caregivers Lap
4 to 6 p.m. Free dinner and treats for Survivors and their Caregivers in the Survivor Tent There will also be special gifts for the Survivors.
6 p.m. Fight Back Ceremony

This ceremony symbolizes the will and drive of a survivor to fight back against the disease.

9 p.m. Luminaria Ceremony

Each luminaria bears the name of someone who has battled or is battling cancer. This ceremony of light symbolizes the hope and perseverance with which everyone continues to fight. Everyone will unite to take a silent lap around the track with glow sticks.

You do not need to be registered to attend, but if you would like a Survivor or Caregiver t-shirt, sign up under the Survivors and Caregivers section on their website.

Interested in bringing your kids to the event?

Come by between 5 and 7 p.m. on May 27 for them to participate in crafts and games at the Kid’s Tent. There is a bouncy house. All ages are welcome.

Interested in signing up for Relay and fundraising for the ACS?

People who raise $100 will receive a special Hope Club t-shirt, and be eligible for additional relay rewards.
People who have raised $150, are invited to stay for the overnight portion of the Event, after registering online here. All others must leave by 11 p.m.

FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS UNDER THE AGE OF 18:

You must fill out a Youth Participation form:https://www.acsresources.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/Youth-Participation-Agreement-Form-rebrand-No-Edit-ACS.pdf and bring it to the event on May 27.
For every 10 minors on a team staying overnight, one adult chaperone is required to stay overnight.

What else is there at the Event?

There will be a raffle for the following prizes:
Storyland day passes
Tickets to the New England Aquarium
UMass Lowell, Harvard, Yale, UNH, and UMaine sports tickets
Duck Boat tickets
TD Garden Sports Museum VIP tickets
And many more prizes
Music, food, and games on the turf
Bouncy house

Here is the itinerary of activities and ceremonies:

Saturday, May 27:

3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Registration
4:30 p.m. Opening Ceremony
4:45 p.m. Survivor Lap
4:55 p.m. Team Banner Lap
5 to 7 p.m. Kids Tent
5 p.m. RFL Trivia
5 p.m. Red Light, Green Light
5:30 p.m. Scavenger Hunt
6 p.m. Fight Back Ceremony
6:30 p.m. Water Balloon Toss
7 p.m. Musical Chairs
7:45 p.m. Limbo
8:15 p.m. Hula Hoop Contest
9 p.m. Luminaria Ceremony
9:15 p.m. Silent lap with Glow Sticks
9:45 p.m. Tug of War
11 p.m. Only people who fundraised $150 or more stay
11:30 p.m. Volleyball tournament

Sunday, May 28:

1 a.m. Capture the Flag
2 p.m. Karaoke
3 p.m. Parachute Game
5 to 5:30 a.m. Donated Breakfast

Interested in donating to the cause or donating materials for the event?

Make a donation to the Bedford event on the website. All amounts are greatly appreciated and will push the event to its goal of $25,000 raised for cancer patients and finding a cure.
If you have tents, foldable chairs, foldable tables to donate to the event, please email [email protected]. All of these items will be returned after the event.
If you would like to donate food for our participants, please email [email protected].

For more information about the event or how Relay for Life helps the cancer community, visit the organization’s website, or email the local committee at [email protected].