Community Corner

Relay for Life is Friday at Waukesha West

Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch giving opening remarks at fundraiser.

Waukesha’s Relay for Life will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday with an opening ceremony, including remarks from Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, who was diagnosed with cancer last fall.

Following the ceremony, which is estimated to take about 30 minutes, all cancer survivors in attendance at the Relay for Life will be asked to take the first lap around the track at Waukesha West High School. Caregivers of anyone who was diagnosed with cancer will be asked to join them for the second lap.

The relay will then begin with teams from the community walking around the track after raising donations for the American Cancer Society.

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“The idea is to keep a member from your team on the track at all times,” said Lindsey Mahn, who is in community relations with American Cancer Society.

The walk is held overnight because “it is symbolic of the cancer patient cycle,” Mahn said.

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Cancer patients are frequently awake during the night because of the disease, and by walking around the track through the night shows support to the cancer patients that for one night, the community is staying awake with them, Mahn explained.

Relay for Life events are held throughout the state and each one is unique, said Mahn. Waukesha’s silent auction, raffle and Shop of Hope are strong each year.

The Shop of Hope allows teams to come in and fundraise by setting up tables to sell items. This year, hand-decorated cupcakes and beef jerky will be for sale at the Shop of Hope.

“It could be crafts or food,” Mahn explained. “It is a just a wide variety.”

Registration is $10 per person, Mahn said, and people can register at the event. However T-shirts are limited. The community is invited to walk during the Relay for Life and visit throughout the night at Waukesha West High School.

There currently are 170 team members signed up and Mahn expects that 250 to 300 people will come throughout the event.

Additionally, this year’s event is Cruising for Cancer and there will be a mini-car show at the Relay for Life.


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