Relay for Life ‘flamingled’ for a cure
Published 12:24 pm Tuesday, November 5, 2019
<p>Photos courtesy of Liz Harris Couch</p> <p>Harlan Relay for Life teams recently hosted a new event called “Flamingle for a Cure,” which raised roughly $500. Kim Blanton, Harlan Relay for Life co-chair, said she was proud of the event and hopes to encourage more people to start their own Relay for Life team.</p>
<p>Photos courtesy of Liz Harris Couch</p> <p>Harlan Relay for Life teams recently hosted a new event called “Flamingle for a Cure,” which raised roughly $500. Kim Blanton, Harlan Relay for Life co-chair, said she was proud of the event and hopes to encourage more people to start their own Relay for Life team.</p>
<p>Photos courtesy of Liz Harris Couch</p> <p>Harlan Relay for Life teams recently hosted a new event called “Flamingle for a Cure,” which raised roughly $500. Kim Blanton, Harlan Relay for Life co-chair, said she was proud of the event and hopes to encourage more people to start their own Relay for Life team.</p>
The Harlan County Relay for Life team recently hosted an event called “Flamingle for a Cure,” where they invited guests to wear pink or tropical attire and enjoy the festivities. The group met Tuesday at 6 p.m. in the Harlan National Guard Armory.
The event was opened in a word of prayer by Forrest Gordon, followed by music performed by Tucker Lewis, Paul Nolan and Parker Eads.
“They all volunteered their time to help with the Relay for Life event,” said Liz Harris Couch, Harlan Relay for Life co-chair.
Harris said the food and drinks were provided by members of the committee.
Tickets were sold for $10 each and included, food, a silent auction, door prizes and more. Harris noted all of the items were donated.
A cancer survivor and medical professional also spoke at the event put together to stress the importance of finding a cure for cancer.
“Music was great, food was great, decorations were good, silent auction was a success, good door prizes. Everything was perfect. We just needed more people there,” Harris said. “I had so much fun. We will definitely do this again.”
Harris said Flamingle for a Cure was organized and spearheaded by Kim Blanton, who is also a Harlan Relay for Life co-chair.
“It was our first time doing it and we raised almost $500, so that’s not too bad for a first time,” Blanton said. “I am hoping when we do it next year people will be more familiar with the concept and know what it’s all about so we will have a bigger turn out.”
Blanton said as the teams travel into 2020, they want to encourage more people to join a team or to form their own.
“One misconception that we’re hoping to eliminate is when people hear ‘Relay for Life,’ they think they have to walk or run a certain amount of times during the course of the event and that is not accurate at all,” Blanton said. “We have several people involved that have mobility issues and yet they are very active with Relay for Life.”
Blanton said, as co-chairs, her and Harris will help new teams find creative ways to raise money and recruit new team members.
For more information, you can contact Blanton at kimb57@bellsouth.net or 606-273-0733. You can also call Harris at 606-505-5564.
