From dusk till dawn: 17th Annual Relay for Life raises funds for American Cancer Society

PLAQUEMINE - The 17th Annual Relay for Life was held at COPAC on Friday night during a 12-hour marathon to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

The event ran from 6 p.m. - 6 a.m. and included a Flame of Hope, petting zoo, car show and slide show highlighting those that have lost their fight with cancer.

“We honor people that have survived cancer and we also recognize those who have passed,” Event Chairman Lauren Stein said.

The event set a goal to raise $60,000 which included year-round fundraising and an annual golf tournament.

“We do different things to raise money throughout the year to try and to reach that goal,” Stein said.

A total of 18 teams participated in the event with over 160 volunteers.

Relay for Life also encouraged merchants to wear or sell purple items on Wednesdays through March in support of the cause.

“I am overwhelmed,” Stein said. “I couldn’t be happier with the turnout. I have had amazing support.”

The petting zoo was sponsored by MSA-West and the Relay Open Car Show was coordinated by Roch Shearer and Lionel Stein.

The event returned this year to COPAC that includes a track, from the Bayou Plaquemine Waterfront Park, and included survivor and caregiver laps.

“We do have people constantly walking the track from dusk till dawn,” Stein said. “It reminds us of the struggles that people have had to deal with cancer.”

Hiram Tabor created the slideshow and it will continue to be an ongoing collection of survivors and victims.

The event holds a special place for City of Plaquemine Board of Selectman Mickey Rivet, a cancer survivor.

“You always know the signs,” Rivet said. “God is trying to tell you something.”

Rivet received 35 straight days of treatment and his cancer has been in remission for the past eight years.

City of Plaquemine Special Projects Director Kristine Hebert also was awarded the Covenant Angel Award for her dedication, support and ideas.