Northwest relay marks 10th year

“The Northwest Dade Relay for Life is more than an event in this community. It has been a life-style changer.  African Americans are no longer silent in the fight against cancer,” said Janice Coakley, relay chairwoman. “Through this event, we have increased the level of knowledge about cancer, cancer prevention and empowered an entire community.”

The late Willis Murray, an American Cancer Society board member, organized the first Northwest Dade Relay for Life in 2001 and it was held at Miami Carol City High School in Miami Gardens.

During its first year, the event registered only a few teams for the walk/run relay and struggled to raise money. Murray continued to recruit volunteers until he identified a group of residents to organize the event every year.

“One man’s vision has proven that a community can become active in saving lives and making an impact,” Coakley said.  “We were and remain the only relay in Miami-Dade county organized to get African Americans active in the fight against cancer.  The [cancer] statistics are dire but this event gives hope and results.”

The teams registered for this year’s relay include the City of Miami Gardens Stompers, which has been raising funds for the past week towards a $15,000 goal.

PlayDate Miami, a national 30-city adult game night event concept, announced it will use games such as Taboo, Monopoly, Uno, Rock 'Em Sock 'Em Robots, and Musical Chairs to help the city team meet its  $15,000 goal.

“I am supportive officially and personally to the fight against cancer and their research. I encourage everyone to be a team player and not a spectator,” Miami Gardens Mayor Shirley Gibson said in a statement issued by PlayDate Miami.

The PlayDate Miami fundraiser will take place from 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, April 22, at the Betty T. Ferguson Center as an advance event for the relay itself. A $10 contribution will be sought. There is no charge to attend the Northwest Dade Relay.

The other registered teams will come from the Office of Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan, the North Miami Beach Soldiers, Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, Honey Bees, UP-PAC, the American Airlines/African-American Employees Resources Group, AARP, the Deltas Divas Dade County Alumnae Chapter, the 93rd Street Church, Bible Baptist Church Healthcare, the Black Nurses Association, Camp King Dean, North Dade Neighbors/Friends 4 Life, 100 Black Men of South Florida, Alpha Phi Alpha-Beta Beta Lambda, Antioch Seniors, the Dr. Robert Ingram Elementary, Kids Against Cancer, the American Cancer Society Health Disparities, Antioch LIVE Ministry, the Gamma Zeta Omega Chapter AKA Sorority, Rho Sigma Chapter, C.M.B.,  The MAC of Delta Sigma and the city of Opa-locka.

To register a team or a cancer survivor or sponsor the relay, call Jennifer Lopez at the Miami-Dade Unit of the American Cancer Society at 305-594-4363 ext. 3 or visit www.relayforlife.org.