Relay For Life backers putting on their running shoes

Spring is approaching, flowers are blooming and purple ribbons are beginning to appear at local businesses as volunteers Paint Pasco Purple in a show of support for the American Cancer Society's Relay For Life. Pasco county commissioners next week are scheduled to declare March 26 through May 8 as "Relay For Life Season" here.

The overnight, marathon relays raise money for American Cancer Society so it can continue its efforts to save lives and find cures and provide patient services to Pasco County residents, according to Mary P. Davis, vice chair for the 2010 Relay For Life of Trinity.

Trinity relay

This month's Team Celebration for the Relay For Life of Trinity will be held on Tuesday, March 16 at 6 p.m. in the media center at J.W. Mitchell High School, 2323 Little Road.

Teams consist of 8-15 people from businesses, churches, schools, clubs, service organizations, neighborhoods, families or friends, Davis explained.

Sponsorships are available for as little as $250 for a track marker. Bronze sponsors such as Rasmussen College contribute $1,500 and have their names printed on the back of the tee shirts worn by all team members.

With the theme "Once Upon a Cure," 2010 Relay For Life of Trinity will be held in the stadium at Mitchell High School from May 7-8. For information, call Sheila Stiles, at 727-944-8602 (day) or 727-849-1397 (evening) or go to www.relayforlife.org/trinityfl.

Hudson relay

Relay for Life of Hudson already had a major fundraiser Feb. 27 at the Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520 in Hudson where 26 performers from age 2 to 86 dazzled audiences.

Children at Kids at the Point daycare facility also have been busy working on get well cards that will be delivered to patients undergoing cancer treatment. The children have decorated more than 100 cards so far, according to Kurt Conover, a spokesman for the Hudson relay.

The cards will be delivered to local treatment facilities with an invitation for the patient and their caregiver to attend the Survivor Dinner at the Relay for Life of Hudson event. All Survivors in the community are invited to participate and can register to participate by visiting www.relayforlife.org/hudsonfl or calling 813-949-0291, ext. 104.

The Relay For Life of Hudson kicks off at 6 p.m. Friday, April 23, at Hudson High School.