By David Vitrano

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – The St. John Relay For Life kicked off its annual campaign recently with a celebration at the St. John the Baptist Parish Public Library’s central branch.

After enjoying food provided by Italian Pie, Relay Chair Bryan Castillo set out to explain a question the casual observer might conjure: “Why would teams take turns walking around a track all night?”

He explained the annual event began in 1985 when a lone doctor decided to traverse a track for 24 hours to raise awareness for the fight against cancer. Since then, Relay For Life has become the largest nonprofit activity in the world.

Those in attendance then got a firsthand look at why the activity is so important when local cancer survivor Marlene Bourgeois shared her story. Bourgeois said she woke up 14 years ago with the left side of her body paralyzed. Through medical technology and persistence, Bourgeois said she has now be cancer free for 12 years but always knows the disease could return at any time.

Castillo said one of the main ways Relay For Life raises money is through the sale of luminaries, which come in three forms this year. The standard lanterns will again line the track, but larger floating luminaries as well as torches that can be taken home will also be a part of this year’s fund raising.

“We do raise a lot of funds through these,” said Castillo.

Committee Chair Renee Boudreaux noted, “When you purchase (the floating luminaries), you can light them yourselves.”

This year’s event will be held March 23, 2013, 3 p.m.-3 a.m., at Highway 51 Park in LaPlace. This year’s theme is “Lights, Camera, Take Action.”

Castillo said he is hoping for at least 30 teams to participate this year. He also noted the event raised more than $75,000 last year but said he hoped to raise at least $85,000 this year.

“This year we upped the ante,” he said.

Besides luminaries, money is raised through food sales and activities on the day of the event. This year’s cookoff will feature dishes using crab, shrimp or fish, and the bakeoff will be a cupcake competition.

To end the evening, everyone in the room introduced themselves and shared why they take part in Relay For Life.

The next Relay For Life meeting will be held Wednesday, Nov. 14, 6:30 p.m. at the library. Visit the St. John Relay For Life Facebook page at www.facebook.com/stjohnrelay for more information.