A Panoramic View of Relay 2013. Photo by Jeremy Elkins.

A cancer survivor, a loving daughter, an eleven-year old: each has been inspired to battle cancer and lead a team in the fight for a cure.

Relay 38002 is Saturday May 3 through Sunday, May 4, from 6:00 pm  until 6:00 am  in Arlington’s Depot Square (click here for more information and a schedule of activities).  Part pep-rally, part community slumber party, this year’s Relay has a global flair.  With the theme of “Where in the World is the Cure?” fundraising teams have adopted country names as part of the fun.

Already, over $37,000 has been donated to the American  through the efforts of the 14 teams participating in the event. UPDATE: As of May 1, the total amount raised is over $60,000.

For Lori Kuhuski, Captain of Team Switzerland, and 24-year colon cancer survivor, Relay for Life represents just  one aspect of her volunteering with the American Cancer Society. Since 2010, Kuhuski has also served as one of approximately 500 Heroes of Hope nationwide.

She explains that Heroes of Hope represent cancer survivors who are “exemplary” in their involvement with ACS.  Kuhuski speaks publically about her cancer experience in an effort to raise awareness, to encourage others to get involved, and to share information about treatments.

New to the area, Kuhuski visited Relay38002 last year, and chose to be a team captain for 2014.  “I wanted to be involved with the Arlington Relay because it has a special community feel.”

Kahuski supports the American Cancer Society because it is the single largest funder of cancer research.  “Since 1995,” she adds, “the ACS has raised 5 billion—that’s with a ‘b’—dollars to fight cancer.”

Krista Pearce agreed to captain Lakeland Elementary’s Team Spain — the “Lakeland Leónes for Jaxon Hindman,” (“leónes” is Spanish for “lions”) — in honor of her mother. Pearce explains that when she was approached by Lakeland PTA president Cat Wright to head the team, it was easy for her to accept, although she had never been to a Relay for Life event.

“My mom’s birthday is May 3—the date of this year’s Relay—and it is also the one year anniversary of her being diagnosed for the second time with breast cancer,” Pearce states.

“My mom is a huge fan of the American Cancer Society because they give so much more support to cancer research than other organizations,” she continues.  Pearce’s mother plans to attend the Survivors Dinner.

The Lakeland Elementary School team was named in honor of 12-year old Jaxon Hindman, a former LES student and Lakeland resident who was recently diagnosed with brain cancer.

“Cancer has touched us all,” Pearce adds. “I’ve had friends lose mothers; there’s just got to be a better way” to  fight cancer.

At eleven years old, Haley  Pardue of Team France is hands-down the youngest team captain for Relay38002.  A three-year veteran of Relay for Life, Pardue couldn’t find a team to join when her former team captain, mom Cheryl Pardue, took a position on the Relay 38002 organizing committee.

Pardue admits that there have been “a lot” of responsibilities with being a team captain, including monthly captains’ meetings, recruiting volunteers and (her favorite part) fundraising.

Since September, Pardue has organized her 14 teammates—eight kids, six adults—and raised almost $3,900 through yard sales, a “Cheesecakes for Cancer” event, and a Valentine’s Dinner at the United Methodist Church of Macedonia.

For Pardue, it’s been worth the work: “Being involved with Relay for Like makes you realize how many people have cancer and what they’re going through by seeing everyone at the event and how emotional they are,” Pardue explains.  “It makes me feel good because the survivors, family members, and caregivers feel loved and supported by Relay.”