Relay for Life of Plant City is hoping to further unite the local community with a Giving Thanks breakfast for all cancer survivors, those currently undergoing treatment and beloved caregivers.
Though Relay has been touching lives in Plant City for years, Community Development Manager Bonnie Gibson said the group hopes to start hosting even more events to let the local community know that they are loved, supported and cherished.
“We really just want to give back to those who have been told they have cancer, whether that’s caregivers, someone that is currently going through the battle or someone that went through the battle and came out on the other side,” Gibson said. “We hope this breakfast will bring them together and that we can get into the community and reach those that have been touched by cancer outside of our Relay people.”
The breakfast will have a variety of food including staples like eggs, meats, coffee, tea and bread, as well as lighter meals like fresh fruit. Gibson said those currently undergoing treatment often have restrictive diets so they are ensuring there will be something special for everyone who attends.
Last year was the first time the group attempted to host the breakfast, but due to a last-minute location change, the turnout was minimal. This year they’re starting anew and Gibson said they hope to begin offering some type of outreach event twice a year on top of the famous Relay for Life event.
“It’s so important for anyone who is walking through this or who has come out on the other side to have the opportunity to build a community with those who have fought the same battle,” Gibson said. “It’s a community of like minds. You can have such supportive families and friends, but unless you’ve been through that, unless you’ve been told you have cancer and have gone through treatment it’s hard to really understand what it’s like.”
The American Cancer Society in 2017 said that nearly one in three people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. It’s a staggering statistic and while Gibson said the hope is one day that number will drop to one in a million, for now, she said it’s crucial those diagnosed, as well as survivors, know they have a community that will have their back, love them and support them through this journey.
Last year approximately 1,500 people attended Relay for Life of Plant City, filling the football field at Plant City High School for the monumental event. Gibson said there were 134 survivors and caregivers that participated in the annual survivors walk.
As impressive as that turnout is, it barely scratches the surface of those in Plant City who statistically have been touched by cancer.
More than 38,000 people live in the city and Gibson said the hope is the new events will help reach those that have never joined the Relay for Life network.
“We would love for them to come out to Relay and see it and let them celebrate and be honored in the event,” Hare said. “But this breakfast will hopefully help us reach even more people, to just to let them know that we are here fighting for them and if they need anything there are people out in this community that have their backs.”