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Warren Relay to mark 25th year

WARREN — The Warren Relay For Life, which has become the largest Relay in Ohio, is about to grow.

Relays previously held in Champion, Cortland and Newton Falls now will be part of the Warren event instead of holding their own, according to Kaitlin Irgang, staff partner for the American Cancer Society. The Warren Relay For Life will be May 11 and 12 at Courthouse Square in downtown Warren.

In addition to being larger, the Warren Relay For Life also will mark a milestone this year as it celebrates its 25th year of raising money for the American Cancer Society. Fundraising efforts for the 2018 Relay already have begun, with a western-themed quarter auction and basket raffle held Saturday at the Hippodrome in Warren.

So far, more than 65 teams have registered for the Warren Relay and nearly 200 people attended Saturday’s fundraiser.

Irgang said special activities are planned for the 25th anniversary.

“We are trying to locate some of the original teams and people who helped start the Warren Relay,” she said.

Irgang said the Warren Relay has become one of the largest Relays in the nation and while others have merged or scaled back their time, the Warren event has remained at 24 hours since its beginning.

“The Relay has become a part of the culture in Warren. So many people look forward to taking part in it,” she said.

Plans also include a display of the Relay T-shirts worn in each of the 25 events.

Traci Wolford of Cortland, a committee member, said she credits the longevity and success of the Warren Relay to the people.

“It is the dedication of the people we have here. It is so phenomenal to be tops in Ohio and among the top 50 in the nation,” Wolford said.

Theresa Wireman, fundraiser co-chair, and Donna Shaw of Warren, a committee member, said this year’s event was dedicated in memory of Sean Crean of Warren, who died recently at age 46 from cancer. Crean had served as the DJ at Relays in Warren and Niles and at Relay fundraisers.

Braceville residents Debbie and Rob Rihel, both cancer survivors, said the Relay means a lot to them as they take part in raising money to help others.

Rob, a 10-year cancer survivor, said, “It meant a lot when people helped us. We have our team that is part of this. We had to help take care of each other when we had cancer.”

Debbie, a seven-year cancer survivor, said she was diagnosed six months after her husband’s cancer went into remission.

Information on the Relay can found at www.acsevents.org.

In addition to Warren, Relays also are being planned April 27 in Niles and for early June in Liberty-McDonald.

bcoupland@tribtoday.com

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