Planning Under Way for First Relay For Life of Romeoville

When officials planned the new and adjacent , they envisioned the facilities as the setting for large community gatherings and important local events.

The first major event, scheduled to be held there this summer, certainly fits the bill, according to Mayor John Noak. More importantly, it’s an event that is near and dear to many Romeoville residents.

On July 23, the village will host the first-ever Relay For Life of Romeoville. The overnight event, which is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, is slated for 2 p.m. Saturday, July 23 to 6 a.m. Sunday, July 24.

“We’d always intended the new facility to be able to host events of this nature,” Noak said. “Relay For Life was the first and most obvious event that came to our attention.”

For nearly a decade, Romeoville partnered with the Village of Bolingbrook to host an annual relay in the neighboring town.

“It just seemed like a natural progression to hold our own,” Noak said. “Cancer has touched so many lives … Community events aren’t always just to entertain. These are important.”

And the fight against cancer is a cause the village can get behind, especially after losing two of its own to the disease over the last year. Village clerk Ray Holloway died in August, and longtime trustee Edward “Doc” McCartan passed away last month.

 “We also realize how many people have been saved in the community,” Noak said, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the American Cancer Society. The organization helps fund cancer research, education aimed at early detection and efforts to help patients as they battle the disease.

Kelly Castaneda, senior income development representative for the American Cancer Society’s Tinley Park office, said the village expressed an interest in holding a Romeoville event.

“Relay had been a very, very successful event for Romeoville and Bolingbrook together for about seven years,” she said. “There was some interest from the Village of Bolingbrook about doing their own event to get more residents involved in the fight against cancer.”

 Rally set for Feb. 23

Residents can do just that at the , set for 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 23, at .

“They are donating the space and all the goodies for the event for us,” Castaneda said. “Anybody who wants to learn about the American Cancer Society, what we do and where the money goes (is invited).”

Guests can also find out more about the July 23 relay and register for the event.

Teams can register online at www.relayforliferomeoville.com. There is no limit for the number of members a team can have, but groups are asked to raise a minimum of $100, Castaneda said.

Groups can also register by downloading a virtual team packet online and sending registration forms to the Tinley Park American Cancer Society office via mail, 17060 Oak Park Avenue, Tinly Park, IL 60477; or, 708-633-7773.            

A relay kickoff ceremony is scheduled for 7 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, at village hall.