Local Relay for Life set to begin June 21

The 2013 Relay for Life of Hopkins-Minnetonka will take place on Friday, June 21 at Hopkins West Junior High School, 3830 Baker Rd., Minnetonka. The opening ceremony will begin at 7 p.m., followed by a luminaria ceremony of remembrance at 9 p.m. Activities are planned throughout the night and the event will close with a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 22.

Relay for Life is the American Cancer Society’s signature activity and serves three different purposes: celebrating the lives of those who have battled cancer, remembering the loved ones lost to the disease and fighting back to end cancer in our lifetime. The overnight event raises much-needed monies for the organization, which provides funding to crucial cancer research projects and invaluable support services to help those dealing with all forms of cancer in the local Twin Cities area.

Teams set up camp and provide at least one member to walk on the track at all times. Walking throughout the night is intended to symbolize the journey taken by someone battling cancer: they walk into the darkness and, hopefully, emerge into the light.

 Registration is open, and teams can be formed by families, friends, co-workers, church groups, civic organizations or businesses. There are also sponsorship and volunteer opportunities available.

For information on the Relay for Life of Hopkins-Minnetonka, contact Nick Pilger at 651-255-8128 or: nick.pilger@cancer.org; e-mail: hopkinsrelayforlife@gmail.com; or visit: relayforlife.org/hopkins-minnetonkamn.