Cancer survivors, supporters to walk for the cure on Friday

Talent shows, music, a silent auction, barbecue and more are in store for participants in the second annual Superheroes Fishing for a Cure Relay For Life cancer walk at Roberts Point Park.

The walk will be held from tomorrow, Friday, April 27, through 7 a.m. Saturday, April 28.

Festivities will get started with a kids' talent show from 5 to 6 p.m.

At 6:10 p.m., Port Aransas High School senior Leah Matthews will sing the national anthem, after which the Rev. Richard Safford, pastor at Community Presbyterian Church, will give the opening prayers.

Teams and spectators will be welcomed by Beth Owens, one of the relay organizers, then relay chairman Lynne Ahlstrom will give her welcome.

A poem, "Why We Relay" will be read at 6:45 p.m.

Cancer survivors will be asked to take two laps, led by Port Aransas City Councilman and art gallery owner Rick Pratt who will play the bagpipes to lead the walk. After two laps by the survivors, they will be joined for another lap by their caregivers and/or supporters, then Relay for Life team members will take to the course, keeping one person per team walking until 7 a.m. the next day.

While team members walk, their teammates and supporters will be entrtained.

The Brundrett Middle School band, under the direction of Jim Cole, will perform from 7:20 to 7:50 p.m.

The "tropicoustical" sounds of Triggerfish will take to the stage from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

While Triggerfish plays, a barbecue dinner will be served.

The luminary ceremony will begin at 9:30 p.m. with a moment of silence for those lost to or still fighting cancer. At this time, all walkers will stop.

Matthews will sing "Wind Beneath My Wings", followed by the luminary and survivor presentations at 9:35 p.m.

The Truax Band will play from 10 to 11 p.m., and at 11 p.m the silent auction will close, and raffle items will be awarded.

Awards and acknowledgements will be given at 11:15 p.m.

From midnight to 5 a.m. movies will be shown and served with popcorn, courtesy of the Port Aransas Parks and Recreation Department.

Breakfast will be at 6 a.m., and at 7 a.m., the final tally of earnings for the 2007 Relay for Life will be announced.

Luminarias

There is still time to order a luminaria to honor someone who lost the battle or is fighting the battle against cancer. Luminarias may be purchased on the Web site, acsevents. org/PortAransas. At the site, click Light a Luminaria and purchase one or more.

FUNDRAISERS Team members have raised more than $14,000 to date through direct donations and fundraising events. The goal is $60,000.

Fundraising events will continue up to the walk. All drawings will be held Friday. Winners need not be present to win. Fundraisers are as follows:

+ Donations may be made through the Web site, for a specific team or team member, if a donor prefers.

+ Team First American Eagles is raffling a Port Aransas summer vacation package. It includes a three-night stay for four at Balinese Flats, a halfday bay fishing trip with Capt. Clark Miles of Crystal Blue Charters, and a $200 dinner at the Pelican Club. This package is valid through the end of January 2008, excluding the month of July.

+ The team also is raffling a Port Aransas winter vacation package. It includes a two-night stay for four at Pelican Condominiums, a flounder gigging trip with Capt. Tray Clark, and a $200 dinner at Venetian Hot Plate. This package is valid through the end of April 2008, excluding the month of July.

Raffle tickets cost $5 each or 5 for $20.

Contact Robin Sekula at 749-4877, rsekula@firstam.com or Lisa Shelton for more information or to purchase tickets.

+ Team Super Chicks has had pink flamingos traveling all over Port Aransas raising money, with their fi- nal destination as Roberts Point Park. Team members are placing the birds in selected yards. To request a yard posting, contact Anne Denton (361) 779-9031 or 749-8866; Ann Appling (361) 443-7121 or eahome@aol.com; Beth Owens 749-4621 or kowensfam ily@centurytel.net.