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Celebration, Dinner Promote Relay
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With just a couple of months remaining until Escalon's inaugural Relay For Life, a couple upcoming events are designed to raise both awareness and funds for the American Cancer Society event.

Relay For Life is a 24-hour gathering of the community, with teams putting members on the track to walk and raise money for cancer research and patient services. This year, Escalon will be a site for the signature fundraising activity of the ACS, with the campus of Escalon High the setting for the June 4-5 event.

Committee members and team captains gathered for their monthly meeting on March 23, with updates provided on a number of plans falling into place for the Relay. Meetings are the fourth Wednesday of each month at the Escalon Ambulance Station on Ullrey Avenue.

Coming up this week, a 'birthday celebration' is being hosted for cancer survivors, their caregivers and families, at Saron Lutheran Church, 1742 North St. That gathering is scheduled for Thursday, March 31 at 7 p.m.

The party will include cake, ice cream, coffee and punch and Survivor Chairperson Chryse Seeman said the goal is to promote the upcoming Relay and honor those cancer survivors in the community as well as those that care for them.

This year's theme for Relay For Life is 'celebrating more birthdays,' and Seeman - who is also a cancer survivor - said they want to bring that theme together with the Thursday night party.

Those planning to attend can RSVP to Seeman at 838-2466.

Local resident Jeff Fernandes is chairperson for Escalon's first Relay and his team is hosting a fundraising dinner at the Azores Band Hall on First Street. Tickets are still available for the Saturday, April 9 tri tip dinner, dance and auction fundraiser and can be obtained by contacting Fernandes at 595-4192. Doors will open at 6 p.m. with the tri tip dinner served at 7 p.m. There will be a dance following, along with silent auction items up for bid. Tickets are $20 and the evening will also feature a motivational talk by one of the American Cancer Society's 'Heroes of Hope.'

Teams on board for the June event range from businesses to families to clubs and service organizations, all with the goal of raising money to battle the disease. Relay For Life includes opening ceremonies, a 'Survivor Lap' to officially start the 24 hours, activities and entertainment throughout the day and night, educational activities, on site fundraising, an evening luminaria ceremony and more.

Fernandes also reminded residents that the 'purple potty' fundraiser is still available; he will deliver the painted purple toilets around town, raising awareness for the event.