Second Opinion will play during the Relay For Life block party at Four Oaks Center this weekend. Pictured from left in back are Daryl Harp, keyboards; Bill Prater, vocals, guitar and keyboards; and Larry Sheumaker; and in front, Ken Luckmann, bass; John Jernigan, drums; and Rick Givens, vocals and guitar. -- Photo Submitted

by Beverly Majors
Oak Ridger staff

A block party to benefit the American Cancer Society will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 22, in the parking lot at Four Oaks Center.

Buddy Peters, owner of Peters Jewelers, is sponsoring the event for the second year. The purpose of the event is to raise money for the annual American Cancer Society's Relay For Life, to be held May 12 and 13 at the Oak Ridge Civic Center.

Peters said the block party will feature music, food, car washes, massage therapy and prize drawings. Donations will be accepted and boxes will be provided for donations and drawings.

"I hope people go with their hearts instead of greed," he said.

The Magnolia Tree, a co-sponsor, will provide food including barbecue and side dishes. The band, Second Opinion, made up of four local physicians and two others, will play 1960s and 1970s music during the event.

Prizes include a sapphire and diamond bracelet worth $1,680 and a diamond necklace worth $1,500. Other give-aways will be savings bonds, tires, oil changes, gift certificates and a weekend get-away at a local hotel.

The proceeds will be turned in at the Relay For Life event in May at the Civic Center.

Relay For Life is an American Cancer Society national fund-raising event that honors cancer survivors and remembers cancer victims.

"I am doing this in memory of my father, Dick Peters, who died of cancer three years ago, and to help find a cure," Peters said.

Relay For Life features teams of eight to 10 people who camp out overnight at local schools or parks, or in the case of the Oak Ridge event, the Civic Center, and walk around a track or path for 12 to 24 hours. One team member must be on the track at all times during the event. The first lap is always for survivors.

Individuals participating in the event raise money prior to the event.

According to information supplied by the American Cancer Society, the Relay For Life is expected to raise $120 million nationally.

For additional information about the Relay For Life, call 1-800-ACS-2345.