By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Although the cause is still very much the same, local organizers of this year’s Relay for Life in St. John the Baptist Parish say the event will be slightly different from years past.

The signature fundraising event for the American Cancer Society is set for this Saturday evening at Riverside Academy in Reserve.

Events begin at 5 p.m. and carry on through the night until 5 a.m. Sunday.

“Most people associate the Relay for Life with a race, or a walk around a track, but it is much more than that,” said Michael Wright, the co-chair for the St. John Relay event. “It’s sort of like a festival without the rides. We have music all night long, games, contests, cook-offs and other surprises.”

In addition to various games scheduled throughout the evening, Wright said this year’s event has added a crawfish dish cook-off, a fireworks display and live music all night long with performances by the Our Lady of Grace choir, Kyle Labat & Perry Levet, Peyton Falgoust, Kayla Woodson and Austin Forsythe. Freshly printed St. John Firefighter calendars will also be available for sale Saturday.

Wright said the theme of this year’s event is “St. John Parish Tackles Cancer for a Cure.” In accordance with that theme, Relay organizers have coordinated a special appearance from a certain “super” trophy.

“Yes, we have the privilege of having the Saints’ Lombardi trophy present at the event,” Wright said. “Photo ops will be available at a small cost with proceeds going to our donation pool for the American Cancer Society.”

According to the St. John Relay for Life website, as of Tuesday 30 teams and 326 participants have signed up to be involved in Saturday’s event, a slight increase over last year. Participants have combined to raise more than $9,600 for Cancer research.

For many participants, there is often a link to cancer that gets them involved in Relay for Life. Wright said he got involved in 2005 when his grandmother was diagnosed with terminal colon cancer.

“She lost her battle in 2008, but my family and I continue the fight for a cure,” Wright said. “Relay is one of those opportunities where as a community and family we can all come together and make a difference, while having a fun time doing it.”

Others involved, like LaPlace insurance agent Natalie Tatje, the captain for team Tough Cookies, say the funds raised do much more than just assist in finding a cure.

As a survivor of breast cancer herself, Tatje said the American Cancer Society does so much to help people through the ordeal.

“You don’t know where to go or who to turn to,” Tatje said. “The American Cancer Society gives patients and their families a place to get help and advice on how to deal with it. Finding a cure is one thing, but helping patients deal with the disease is just as important.”