Relay for Life adapts in pandemic

RIDGEFIELD — Members of the American Cancer Society’s annual Relay for Life Clark County fundraiser had to create new ways to help those in need due to the pandemic. The annual events raise funds for research and patient services. “The suspension of our events caused our volunteers and survivors a lost chance to connect face-to-face with the community,” Shammra Lacy, community development manager for the Clark County event, said in a news release. Instead, this year, the Relay for Life of Clark County went online and socially distant events took place on July 12-19. The event kicked off the week with a Road to a Cure- Drive-thru Luminaria Experience held on July 12 at the Clark County Event Center at the Fairgrounds. The bags, each representing someone’s cancer story, were set up and displayed for people driving through the fairgrounds. They also held an online auction, photo contests, virtual scavenger hunt bingo, trivia night and more. The last event was a Celebrating Survivors — Hope Parade: a car parade from Clark College to Hudson’s Bay High School. Survivors were welcomed to the Hudson Bay parking lot with cheering, cow bells and excitement as they paraded through the parking lot. “I’m so proud to see what our volunteers were able to come up with during these crazy times” said Libby Mongue-Wymore, volunteer Fund the Mission event tri-lead. The group has raised about $109,000 of its $150,000 goal. To support Relay for Life of Clark County, make a donation at www.clarkcountyrelay.org and follow on Facebook at www.facebook.com/clarkcowarelay.