Relay for Life luncheon honors survivors, boosts cancer support efforts

Survivors, caregivers and families filled the leisure center in Allendale on Sunday, April 26, for the Allendale-Barnwell Relay for Life Survivors’ Luncheon, a gathering that put lived experience at the center of the county’s cancer fight. Lena Green and other participants shared stories that turned the meal into a space of remembrance, encouragement and resolve ahead of the larger Relay for Life event later in May.

The luncheon also delivered a practical boost. Heather Tuten, the social worker at Allendale County Hospital, spoke on behalf of SRS Unifi Health and the SRS Department of Health Services, underscoring help available to former Savannah River Site employees who need assistance. During the event, SRS Unifi Health presented a $10,000 check to the Allendale County Hospital Relay for Life team, a donation that strengthens local fundraising and the services tied to the annual campaign.

That support matters because Relay for Life in Allendale-Barnwell is more than a ceremonial walk. The American Cancer Society says Relay For Life is the world’s largest fundraiser to end cancer, and each event centers on four signature elements: survivors, caregivers, a luminaria ceremony and a fight-back component. Those same themes are built into the local effort this year, with survivor recognition, caregiver appreciation, food, music and line dancing listed for the countywide gathering.

The 2026 Relay for Life is scheduled for Friday, May 15, from 6 to 11 p.m. Local listings place the event at the Allendale football field, while the American Cancer Society event page lists Allendale Fairfax High School in Fairfax. The campaign had raised $7,933.60 toward a $30,000 goal, and the Allendale County Hospital team was among the listed fundraisers.

The luncheon in Allendale fits into a broader pattern of community organizing that has kept the campaign visible and well-supported. In 2024, more than 20 teams took part, the survivors’ walk began at 6 p.m., and the goal was $35,000. That effort raised nearly $35,000 and ultimately exceeded the target, with a final tally previously cited at $50,439. This year’s luncheon showed the same formula at work: survivor testimony, hospital outreach and local giving joining together to push cancer support forward in Allendale County.