Relay for Life walk against cancer sees changes in Maricopa

By Michelle Chance

Maricopa Cancer survivors and their supporters will experience this year’s Relay for Life during the daytime and in forecasted sunshine.

In previous years, the event was held overnight and participants were subjected to chilled winds and cloudy skies during the outdoor relay.

This year the annual event, which raises money for the American Cancer Society, will take place April 1 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. at Copper Sky Recreation Center.

Relay for Life Community Manager Laura Theobald said she hopes the daytime event will provide for better conditions this time around. However, she said it will continue rain or shine.

“No matter the weather, cancer still exists,” Theobald said. “So we are going to keep relaying no matter what.”

Eighty-six people and 23 teams are registered for the event. Organizers plan to raise $55,000 and so far teams have contributed over $7,000.

Currently, Relay for Life veterans Carol Machovec and Evan Grace are the top participant fundraisers for the event.

Theobald said she is optimistic over the fundraising momentum due in part to a $15,000 donation the Caesars Foundation and Harrah’s Ak-Chin will give to the organization Friday.

Another community business has contributed to the fight against cancer, albeit in a colorful way.

Mike Richey, owner of Maricopa Ace Hardware, said all proceeds earned in March from purple Relay for Life buckets will be donated to the organization.

Additionally, the store is offering customers an option to round-up their purchase to the next dollar, with all of those proceeds also benefitting Relay for Life.

Richey said he has taken all of his other bucket inventory off of the store’s floor and replaced it with a sea of stacked purple buckets to encourage sales.

Since the beginning of March, Richey said the store has already raised over $1,300. At the same rate, he predicts his store could possibly donate over $5,000 by the end of the month.

Participants have until the day of the event to register and donate by going online or by calling 1-800-227-2345.