Teams of teenagers and others hoping to raise money for cancer research will spend the night walking for the Relay for Life on Friday.
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* If You Go | Relay for Life
BY MEREDITH RUTLAND
Special to The Miami Herald
For 15 hours, teams hoping to raise money for cancer research will walk around the track at Doctors Charter School.
Among those participating will include teenagers, college students, parents and cancer survivors.
On Friday, more than a dozen teams will converge at the school for the Relay for Life, organized by the American Cancer Society.
The event symbolizes the long journey those afflicted by cancer endure.
Cindy Chae, event manager for the local Miami Shores event, is amazed by the teams' dedication.
''Surprisingly, there are a lot of young kids. They understand what the bottom line is,'' Chae said.
The bottom line is saving lives.
Avalon Hoekspaans, an eighth-grader at Doctors Charter, was inspired by her teacher who is battling cancer.
''A lot of us have lost people to cancer,'' said Avalon, who asked that her teacher not be identified out of concern for the teacher's privacy.
Avalon said her teacher can't afford to miss school to rest after treatment.
''She'll come into school with tubes in her and stuff. It's really scary,'' Avalon said.
In addition to managing their own teams, relay captains also encourage people to start their own.
Stanislav Ivanov, a senior and captain of the North Miami High relay team, started his own and then moved on to recruit two additional teams at his school.
Chae said she was proud of students like Stanislav.
''To be so young and not only manage your own team, but to reach others -- it shows that they really do understand the motivation behind it,'' Chae said.
Teams walk through the night -- until well past daybreak.
Captains are responsible for raising $100 per team member, usually through donations or events like bake sales.
While the mission is serious, the event is festive.
''The party is fun because we run around and drink energy drinks,'' said Avalon, who is her team's captain.
Teams dream up a theme for the booths, where they sell food and and host entertainment such as video game contests.
St. Martha Catholic Church picked a 1960s theme, complete with a couple dressed as John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who will pose for pictures. The Miami Shores church also will sell faux ''funny'' brownies and had a local artist paint a six-foot mural titled Imagine the Cure.''
Miami Country Day School will reminisce about the days of the drive-in movie with popcorn and snow cones. They team also will play movies inside the booth.
''Our goal this year is to be the top fundraising team,'' said Miami Country Day School team captain Katherine Obermeyer. ``We know that all the money we raise will make a big difference.''
Teams can keep track of their competitor's fundraising efforts at the event website, www.relayforlife.org/miamishoresfl.
The relay begins at 6:15 p.m. with an openning ceremony and a single lap for cancer survivors. Paper bags illuminated from within by candles and marked with the names of cancer survivors and victims, will line the track.
''This is one of the most special parts of the entire event,'' said Chad Buschell, assistant director for American Cancer Society in Miami-Dade. ``Just looking at how far we've come and the importance of those that have been touched by this disease, that's why we're all here.''
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