Arnold/Annapolis Relay For Life - Bigger and Better Moves to New Location

For over 15 years, during the second weekend of May, the infield at the Anne Arundel Community College turned into a “tent city” as the Arnold Relay For Life set up to hold their overnight fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. 

This year, in addition to changing the name from Arnold Relay to the Arnold/Annapolis Relay, the event will now be held at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville. 

Relay For Life is a signature fundraiser by the American Cancer Society. During the Relay, teams of 8-15 people take turns walking or running around a track overnight. The thought is “Cancer doesn’t sleep, so why should we?”  Team members also put up campsites and hold other fundraisers during the entire event. 

Relay takes on a carnival-like atmosphere with live music, food, entertainment, raffles and more. Around 9:30 p.m., the celebration takes a more somber turn as a Luminary Ceremony is held. Hundreds of luminaria are lit in honor of those who still battle cancer and remember those who have lost the fight. After the Luminary Ceremony, Relay continues with more festivities until sun-up when closing ceremonies are held and the total amount raised for the event is announced. 

According to the Arnold/Annapolis Relay For Life chair, Kim Gramza, “The location change is due to the incredible growth of the event. With 138 teams and close to 1,300 participants, our Relay needed additional space.”  Gramza also stated that by adding Annapolis to the Relay name, “it represents more of the area where participants are from.”

Joan Vosbury, a resident of the Bay Hills neighborhood, is a huge believer in Relay For Life. As a three time cancer survivor, Vosbury has been participating in the event for 14 years. 

She is a little apprehensive about the location change. “For those of us from the area, the Anne Arundel Fairground may be inconvenient because of the distance to travel…but I don’t want to say it will be good or bad until I experience it. I know there will be more room at the fairgrounds.”

The Arnold/Annapolis Relay For Life is the biggest Relay in Anne Arundel County and has already raised over $210,000.  However, Gramza has her sight set on beating another goal. According to Gramza, “If the 2011 Arnold/Annapolis raises $244,000, we will have surpassed all amounts ever raised before for this Relay!”

To meet this goal, Gramza wants to make sure that the community knows it is welcome and encouraged to attend this family-friendly event.

The Relay will start at the Anne Arundel Fairgrounds on Friday, May 13 with a Cancer Survivor Reception at 5 p.m. followed by opening ceremonies at 6:30 p.m.  The event continues overnight until closing ceremonies at 7 a.m. on Saturday, May 14. 

For additional event information, schedule or directions visit : http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?fr_id=33305&pg=entry  or email  kim_gramza@comcast.net