As the event leadership team of Otter Tail County’s Relay For Life is busy planning this year’s Relay For Life, there is an added air of excitement because we will be celebrating the 30th year of the Otter Tail County Relay. 

As the OTC Relay celebrates its 30th year, the American Cancer Society Relay For Life, nationwide, celebrates its 40th year. In these 40 years, the American Cancer Society has funded many great accomplishments in cancer research, education, advocacy and patient services. 

While cancer is still a major health issue in the world, these accomplishments have helped to bring about more early detection through various cancer screenings, more and better cancer treatment options and gains in cancer survival rates. Because of the optimism these kinds of gains bring, the event leadership team of the OTC Relay For Life has chosen this year’s theme as “Year By Year, We Are Closer to a Cure.”  This theme focuses on our history of 30 years and celebrates the hope that we are getting closer to bringing about a world without cancer.

This year’s Relay For Life of Otter Tail County will take place on Friday, July 11, in a new location, the East Otter Tail Fairgrounds. The renovation of the Perham High School track at Ted Meinhover field, the traditional location, has necessitated the move to a new venue.  

The event leadership team is excited about the possibilities this new venue may bring, and they are hopeful that more of the public will come out to our event. The leadership is planning some new activities at the Relay this year, including an hour of Bingo, a car show and food trucks. 

All of the traditional Relay activities that have been a part of its 30-year history, the activities that mean so much to people, will take place: the Survivors Lap, the Dove Release, the Luminary Lighting Ceremony, and much more.  It will be a great opportunity to come out and see people individuals might not always see, to celebrate and support cancer survivors, and to enjoy some food and fun.