Cancer Relay Walker: 'The Number of Survivors Grows Each Year'

She began walking 17 years ago in an effort to raise funds for her father, who was fighting a battle with lung cancer at the time.
Chandra Craig’s father died.
The Braidwood resident kept right on walking in the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life. And she has a team—aptly named “Friends and Family”—that walk with her as a way of keeping the memory of her father alive.
And that team will be at it again during the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life this weekend at Morris Community High School, 1000 Union Street, Morris. The event runs from 4 p.m. Saturday to 6 a.m. Sunday.
The main objective of the Relay for Life is to raise money for cancer research and cancer patients, according to a news release issued by Amy Jo Steinbruecker, manager of public relations for the American Cancer Society.
In the release, Craig said her favorite part of each relay event comes right at the start -- just after the Opening Ceremonies.
“(The) Survivor Lap because the number of survivors grows each year, which reminds me why I do (the) Relay,” she stated in the news release.
As of May 30—two days before the Relay—116 participants representing 16 teams were registered for the Grundy County event. The teams already had a raised a total of $26,388.
“Beginning in May 2013, the American Cancer Society celebrates 100 years of saving lives from cancer and creating a world with more birthdays,” stated Carrie Robinette, American Cancer Society event organizer. “By lending your support to Grudy County’s Relay this year, you’ll be lending your support to the Society’s efforts to finish the fight and bring an end to cancer as we know it.”
For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.