On June 20 and 21, the Castle Rock Democrats will participate for the sixth year in a row in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life in Castle Rock at the Douglas County Events Center. We are currently forming a team for the relay, which will begin at 1pm on Saturday and conclude at 8am on Sunday.

This is the 25th year for the relay nationally, which is considered to be the world's largest grassroots fundraising activity. Relays are held throughout the year in communities across America, with over 3.5 million people participating last year. People decide to join the relay for various reasons......to celebrate those who have battled cancer, remember lost loved ones and to fight back against the disease. Our team captain for the past two years, Bob Owens, is a cancer survivor, and brings along his own 1965 tent trailer as a comfort station for the team.

Participants generally walk for about two hours each, and donate whatever they are able to afford, as well as collect pledges, but all are welcome, no matter what your capabilities are. Those signing up online for the team will receive an ACS Relay For Life tee shirt. There will be over 20 Castle Rock teams participating, with contests, entertainment and food for all. At dusk, luminarios will be lit along the path, and for $10, you can buy one to commemorate someone you know who has had cancer. Balloons that will be released at the closing ceremony will also serve as commemorations. I will be joining the relay for the first time this year, and am also a cancer survivor. Over ten years ago, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, which is generally a very treatable cancer, and hopefully, I will never see it again. I am also walking for several friends I know who have had cancer. I will bet that almost all of you know someone whose life has been touched by cancer as well.

In the words of the American Cancer Society, the relay represents "the hope that those lost to cancer will never be forgotten, that those who face cancer will be supported, and that one day, cancer will be eliminated." Come join your community and help save lives. To sign up for our team or to make a donation, contact Bob at probertowens@msn.com or 303-681-2508. I hope to see you at the relay.