St. Martin Relay for Life

The 12-hour event began at 6 p.m. on Saturday and ended Sunday at 6 a.m. A survivors’ lap of about 30 people started at 6 p.m., some donning purple T-shirts and white sashes as a sign of their courage. VFW post 5153 and Boy Scout Troop 174 presented the colors in the opening ceremony.

Music played throughout the evening, starting with live acts, and continuing with recorded songs and poems, food and games for the kids to keep spirits high at the Breaux Bridge High School track.

The teams that participated in the Relay and camped out at the track Saturday night included the Breaux Bridge, Parks and Arnaudville fire departments, St. Martin Bank and Trust, the St. Martin Parish Sheriff's Office, and Cancer Slayer.

“Hoards of people, or close to 500," said event chairperson Stacey Blanchard. "Tonight we raised $7,000. We aren’t just fighting one type of cancer – we’re fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. Each person who shares the Relay For Life experience can take pride in knowing that they are working to create a world where this disease will no longer threaten our loved ones or rob anyone of another birthday."

This year’s Honorary Survivor is Larry LeBlanc. He has been cancer-free since March of 1999. Larry and his wife, Laura, have been married for 44 years. They have two children and two grandchildren. LeBlanc is a Vietnam veteran. He retired from Texaco after 27 years and has been employed with the St. Martin Parish Sheriff’s Office for 13 ½ years. LeBlanc spends his time volunteering with the American Cancer Society as a facilitator for the Man to Man Support Group.

The Luminaria Ceremony took place after dark, to remember people lost to cancer, honor people who have fought cancer in the past, and support those whose fight continues. Candles are lit inside of personalized bags and are placed around the track as glowing tributes to those who’ve been affected by cancer.

"Our Paint the Town Purple Day was held April 4th on honor of our upcoming Relay where businesses decorated their place in purple and we wanted to announce that our winner was McLeod - Trahan - Sheffield Physical Therapy Services," Blanchard said.

Other awards given relay night were: Most Spirited - Parks Volunteer Fire Dept.; Best Campsite Food - Arnaudville Vol. Fire Dept; Best New Rookie Team - Team Keenie; Best Youth Team - Cancer Slayers.