CENTRE HALL — For 24 hours on June 24 and 25, hundreds of walkers participated in ‘Carnival of Hope,’ the 12th annual Happy Valley Relay for Life.
“This is a heritage event. We call it that, because it is still a 24-hour event,’ said Melanie Moore, co-chairman of the American Cancer Society fundraiser. ‘Some relays have gone to 12-hour efforts, but we stick with the original model.”
The event, held at the Grange Fairgrounds, found teams decorating their tents to resemble carnival games and managing fundraising games, raffles and activities for kids and adults. Twenty-nine teams signed up to be part of the relay, including churches, organizations, businesses and family groups who took turns on the track to remember and honor those affected by cancer.
Following the opening ceremonies, cancer survivors stepped out and walked through the arch of hope, making the first lap around the track.
Each hour of the weekend featured music, fun and special activities. A luminaria ceremony honored fighters, survivors and caregivers. Also taking place were the “Miss and Mr. Relay” pageant, ‘Survivor Bingo’ and campsite judging.
Deb Sinkus’ tent hosted was host to a plethora of plastic pink flamingos.
“When I had surgery for ovarian cancer in 2014 in Hershey, as I was coming home and approached my house, I saw a flock of flamingos on my lawn,” she said.
The gesture touched Sinkus, and her relay team now is called the ‘Fighting Flockers.’ Her flamingos were set up for children to play a ring toss game and win a prize.
At the “Take a Shot at Cancer” tent, the team outfitted visitors in Civil War-era clothing prior to taking their pictures with a cannon. The group also raised additional funds by selling ham potpie and other foods and holding a raffle.
As of 2016, Relay for Life of Happy Valley had raised more than $2 million dollars for the American Cancer Society. The money goes to research conducted around the world, as well as close to home at Penn State.
