GREENFIELD — For three decades, Relay For Life of Franklin County has celebrated cancer survivors, honored those who have been lost and raised money to support the fight against cancer, all while building community in the process.
“It’s kind of like a family reunion once a year,” said Bethany Demers, one of three chairs of Relay For Life of Franklin County. “We’re all just Relay family at this point.”
The event, held at the Franklin County Fairgrounds on Wisdom Way, has changed considerably since its early days. When Relay For Life first came to Greenfield, it spanned overnight across two days and attracted even larger crowds. It has been scaled back to a one-day celebration, slated for Saturday, June 13, this year, while preserving the traditions that have defined it for generations.
“We’re a lot more focused on building the community back up to get us back to where we were those years ago,” Demers said.
The challenge, organizers say, is encouraging younger generations to carry the tradition forward. Chris Luippold, another event chair, noted that many longtime teams remain dedicated, but participants age, and recruiting new attendees is increasingly important.
“We’re trying everything we can as the leadership team to build up that interest and bring the next generation into it as well,” Luippold said.
For newcomers, Relay For Life offers much more than a fundraising walk. The day begins at 10 a.m. with a survivor’s lap, recognizing those who have faced a cancer diagnosis. Throughout the event, participants take part in themed laps, children’s activities and raffles, creating an atmosphere that balances celebration with purpose. Yet, beneath the festivities lies an emotional core shared by nearly everyone involved as they come together to a place where grief and hope walk side by side.
“It’s the one day a year that I know I’m going to cry for quite a few hours,” Luippold admitted. “It’s almost therapeutic.”
Luippold became involved with the event after being encouraged by his friend Matt Hall, who later died of cancer in 2020. Every Relay For Life, he said, serves as a reminder of Hall’s legacy and of the many families affected by the disease.
Demers shares a similar personal connection. Introduced to Relay For Life as a child by her mother, and inspired by her grandfather, himself a cancer survivor, she said the event has only become more meaningful as more loved ones have been touched by cancer. Attendees all carry the hope that, one day, no one will have to hear the words, “You have cancer.”
One of the most moving moments is the luminaria ceremony, when decorated paper bags honoring survivors and remembering those who have died are illuminated in a period of quiet reflection.
“Having everyone together and looking at the bags around us, and knowing those people and remembering those people, was so emotional,” Demers recounted.
Melanie Johnson, the third event chair, believes that a combination of remembrance and joy defines the event.
“We really bring the joy with the spirit of Relay,” she said. “Then we make sure we hold space with our luminaria ceremony and allow people time to reflect and remember.”
That balance extends to the event’s recognition of cancer survivors, who lead the opening lap and are celebrated throughout the day. Organizers emphasize that hearing the words, “You have cancer,” is enough to make someone deserving of recognition for their bravery, whether they received the diagnosis yesterday or years ago.
Beyond honoring individuals, Relay For Life continues to raise money to support programs through the American Cancer Society that provide practical help for patients and families. Fundraising dollars contribute to services such as Hope Lodge, which provides lodging for patients traveling for treatment, and Road To Recovery, which connects volunteers with patients who need transportation to medical appointments.
This year’s Relay For Life of Franklin County has a fundraising goal of $100,000 and participants have already raised more than $46,000 heading into the event, with fundraising continuing even after Relay wraps up its 9 p.m. closing ceremony on Saturday. Still, the organizers insist that success cannot be measured by dollars alone.
“For me, the success of the event is the smiles,” Demers said. “Having that community come together and seeing everybody hugging and embracing each other and supporting each other, that’s a successful event.”
The tri-chairs hope residents who have never attended Relay For Life of Franklin County in its three-decade history will simply come and experience it for themselves.
“Participation doesn’t have to be jumping headfirst into a team,” Demers noted. “Participating is as easy as coming up and joining us on Saturday, taking a walk around and checking it out.”
