Eagles for Life to bring community together for night of hope, remembrance
Meridian Community College will bring the community together for a new event focused on hope, support, and remembrance for those affected by cancer.
Eagles for Life: A Night of Hope and Remembrance will be held Saturday, Sept. 26, from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at the MCC soccer field and track. With the theme "Hope Takes Flight," the event will celebrate cancer survivors, honor those still fighting, recognize caregivers, and remember loved ones lost to cancer.
Eagles for Life is a reimagined version of MCC's Race for Life and Street Strut for Breast Cancer. While the event will keep several traditions from past years, its focus will expand to include all types of cancer.
"We wanted to create an event where everyone affected by cancer could feel seen and supported," said Phyllis Holladay, who is serving as chair for Eagles for Life. The event is a college project for MCC’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter.
"Cancer touches so many lives. Eagles for Life gives our campus and community a place to celebrate survivors, support those who are fighting, thank caregivers, and remember the people we have lost," Holladay said.
The new event will move away from timed races and place more focus on fellowship, reflection, and support. Participants will still be able to walk the track, and children can take part in a fun run.
The Umbrella Strut, a tradition from the former event, will also return. Cancer survivors will have the opportunity to take part in the special walk as family members, friends, and community members cheer them on.
"The Umbrella Strut has always been one of the most meaningful parts of this event," Holladay said. "Seeing survivors walk together is a powerful reminder of strength and hope. We knew that was a tradition we wanted to continue."
Luminaries will also be part of the evening and may be purchased in honor of a survivor or someone currently fighting cancer, or in memory of a loved one who was lost to cancer.
Plans for the evening also include live music, concessions, and other activities.
Admission is $10, with children ages 12 and younger admitted free; luminaries are $15 each; participation in the Umbrella Strut is $10; and the children's fun run is $10.
"Hope Takes Flight is more than a theme for one night," Holladay said. "We want people to leave knowing they are not alone and that there is a community ready to stand beside them. Whether you are a survivor, a caregiver, someone who is fighting cancer now or someone who wants to honor the memory of a loved one, this night is for you."
Serving as ambassadors for the event are cancer survivors Norman Coleman, Pam Harrison and Vicki Lockhart, along with caregiver Dr. Leia Hill.
“As Executive Director of the MCC Foundation, I am proud to support Eagles for Life and the vision behind this new event. It is a meaningful investment in our students, our campus, and the community we serve. As a caregiver ambassador, I am also honored to lend my voice to an event that holds such personal significance for so many. I believe Eagles for Life will become a special MCC tradition and a night that brings people together in a truly meaningful way,” Dr. Hill said.
For Holladay, the goal is for the event to become an annual night when the community can gather for a common purpose.
"We hope Eagles for Life becomes a night people look forward to each year — a night to celebrate, remember and simply be there for one another," she said. "Everyone has a reason to walk that track, and every story matters."
To learn more, visit meridiancc.edu/eaglesforlife.