AUGUST 4 • 2022 | 31
R
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