AUGUST 4 • 2022 | 31

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elay for Life in West 
Bloomfield, which has had 
an annual outdoor event to 
raise funds for the American Cancer 
Society, is joining with other groups 
for the first time this year in the 
hopes of drawing more interest and 
funding,
Now, Relay for Life of South 
Oakland County includes residents 
of Bloomfield Hills, Farmington, 
Farmington Hills, Birmingham and 
Royal Oak and will open at 7:30 a.m. 
Sunday, Aug. 14, to set up at the 
Detroit Zoo.
“We offer a place for survivors 
whose events have stopped,” said 
Emily Nathan, who has participated 
in the event for 14 years and served 
as the volunteer event coordinator for 
the past five years in memory of her 
daughter Haley. 
Nathan joins the event with 
the American Cancer Society, 

interacting to get supplemental 
programming to enlarge benefits from 
the funds raised.
Last year, when many participants 
were isolating because of the 
pandemic, the group drew in 
about $63,000, but fewer than 100 
participants went to the Detroit Zoo, 
which was the site for the first time. 
This year, as people were signing up 
for the event, they have already added 
up some $100,000 as they encourage 
more participation.
“Cancer survivors in the Detroit 
area can come for free,” Nathan said. 
“They can spend the entire day at the 
zoo as a place to honor, remember 
and be a part of a group that raises 
money to get rid of cancer.”
In earlier years, when the event 
was held by people living in West 
Bloomfield, the Relay was at the West 
Bloomfield High School. The move to 
the zoo was to increase the activities.

“The money we raise 
goes for a lot of programs, 
including research 
conducted by different 
doctors and scientists, 
political and lobbying 
efforts and drivers for 
patients who can’t get 
rides to their sources of 
treatment,” explained 
Nathan, a member of Adat 
Shalom Synagogue. “The 
outing funds raised also 
support a 24-hour hotline 
that people can call to get 
information about cancer.”
Adding to the funds 
are larger sponsors who 
also participate. North 
American Dental Group, 
for example, will have a space to offer 
information on oral cancer.
Walter Ohrbom, who lives close to 
Brighton and is now free of cancer, 
has been a participant in the Relay for 
Life since he was detected with cancer 
some years ago. He saw the Relay 
flyer while getting treatment at Henry 
Ford Hospital in West Bloomfield. 
“I was in a dark place in 2016, and 
I called Michelle Silber, the woman 
whose name was on the flyer,” said 
Ohrbom, a retired chemist. “She told 
me that I could attend, and it really 
moved me and gave me strength. It 
helped me with what I needed.
“The money raised helped support 
the research that gave me a second 
chance at life. The research impacts 
people, and I’m a living example of 
that. There are people there who had 
cancer 20 years ago, and they’re doing 
great. It gives a sense of hope.”
While Ohrbom has been a Relay 
speaker, this year’s event features 
vocal arrangements by Raye Williams, 
a singer who is a cancer survivor. 
There also will be a talk by a yet 
unnamed survivor. 
The event starts at 8:30 a.m. with 
the presentation and then a walk led 
by Boy Scouts. There will be deejay 

Relay for Life

continued on page 32

Head to the Detroit Zoo Aug. 14 to show 
support for those with cancer.

SUZANNE CHESSLER CONTRIBUTING WRITER

A cancer 
survivor at 
last year’s 
event.

Families 
will find fun 
activities at 
Relay for Life

