By Sarah Kuper
The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life event has a battle cry: “Celebrate, remember and fight back!”
Mary Browning especially likes the “celebrate” part.
“Sometimes we just aren’t having enough fun,” she said.
For the past 11 years, Browning has been throwing themed parties to raise money for Homewood’s Relay for Life.
Browning came to the area from New Orleans, so for years, the theme of her party was “Krewe for a Cure.”
But this year, guests at Browning’s fete will forego the masks and beads in favor of shoulder pads and leg-warmers.
She’s calling it “Back to the ’80s for a Cure,” and it will happen Jan. 29 at Octane Coffee Company in Homewood.
Browning said she’s always wanted to revisit the big hair trend, “I pulled out hot rollers from who knows where and I have a great big blazer I’m going to wear.”
Browning said she resonates with “celebrate,” but it isn’t just because she likes to throw a party.
Browning was nine years old when her mother died from cancer. Browning was the youngest of six children.
“It is really sad. Now I have friends with cancer,” she said, “I always wanted to be able to do something to help.”
In 2005, Browning organized her first Relay for Life team. At the time, the event happened at West Homewood Park.
“I think my team raised $1,000 or something. Then someone asked me to be on the committee and I said, ‘OK!'”
Browning soon arranged for the event to move to the larger and more visible Homewood Central Park. The relay is now 4-7 p.m. instead of overnight to enable high schoolers to participate.
The “Back to the ’80s for a Cure” party is an event leading up to the big relay on April 22. The Homewood Relay for Life goal is $60,000, and Browning hopes to raise a portion of that through her party.
The cost is $25 at the door.
“We will have a “biggest hair” contest and the popular DJ Sills will handle the music. Plus a cash bar,” she said.
Browning said that, although the Homewood Relay for Life is getting closer, there is still time to form a team.
She said the easiest way is to go to relayforlife.org and click “get involved.”
Other information is available through the Relay for Life of Homewood’s Facebook page.
