Xplorers to honor American Cancer Society at May 15 game

May 12, 2004 - arenafootball2 (af2)
Memphis Xplorers News Release


SOUTHAVEN, Miss.—The DeSoto County American Cancer Society chapter will celebrate one of their biggest fundraisers ever, in which they raised more than $86,000 during their annual Relay For Life event, with a large presence and recognition at the Xplorers' May 15 game.

On May 7 and 8, the DeSoto County A.C.S. chapter hosted Relay For Life at the Olive Branch City Park. The Memphis RiverKings and Xplorers sponsored a campsite and a relay team. In addition, the Xplorers donated 10 tickets to the May 15 game honoring A.C.S. to each of the 35 teams.

The RiverKings and Xplorers team raised money in honor of Antonia Bosaccy-Kramer, aunt of the RiverKings' athletic trainer, Patrick Bosaccy. Antonia is currently fighting breast cancer.

"She was really grateful and appreciative of it when I told her," Bosaccy said. "She's doing well right now. She recently went to the doctor and the reports showed that the cancer hasn't spread. She's on the road to recovery."

The Relay is designed to do three things: to bring the community together, to celebrate the lives of cancer survivors and to honor those who have already passed on.

Groups form teams that raise money for research to find a cure and to provide help for those living with the disease. They all convene at the walking track for an all-night vigil.

The evening began with a Survivors Celebration. The ceremony included a bagpipe solo, during which a screen with names of cancer survivors was displayed. Afterward, the survivors opened the walk by taking the first lap around the track.

Teams dug in for the long haul by kicking up the fun factor. Teams competed in an informal volleyball tournament, while several local bands kept the crowd in good spirits. There was a costume contest and silent auction. Some teams sold food or hand-crafted items to benefit the Cancer Society. Participants in an "American Idol" style singing contest, followed by a deejay, entertained the crowd.

One element of the event was a luminary ceremony held at dusk, both emotional and inspirational for many, in which small votive candles in white paper sacks are lit around the track. The names of loved ones affected by cancer were written on the bags by friends and family members.

"It's very touching," DeSoto County Relay for Life co-chairperson Beth Corl said. "Each luminary is lit in honor or memory of someone who has faced cancer. The candles remain lit throughout the night, providing motivation for walkers as they pass by and see the names of these special individuals. It's beautiful and very moving to see them as they stretch around the circle."

The American Cancer Society will be honored during the May 15 game at the DeSoto Civic Center at 7 p.m. For ticket information call 662-470-2131. For more information on the American Cancer Society call 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the Web at www.cancer.org.



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